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Washington University Experience | NEOPLASMS (GLIAL) | Glioblastoma - Gross Pathology | 18A0 Case 18 History
Case 18 History ---- The patient was a 67 year old, right-handed woman with a history of mild hypertension and hypercholesterolemia who complained of a two week history of generalized weakness, fatigue, and difficulty ambulating. An MRI of the brain showed a large right ring enhancing lesion situated in the region of the anterior frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle surrounded by a moderate degree of vasogenic edema. The patient was admitted and started on Decadron and Dilantin. Stereotactic brain biopsy in 10/1997 and showed GBM. The patient continued to improve until 10/9/97 when she had an episode of unresponsiveness. She was transferred to the NICU where she was uncooperative but awake, alert, and oriented to self, place, and year. A ventilation perfusion scan was consistent with pulmonary embolus and arterial blood gases also showed hypoxia. Since the patient was not a candidate for anticoagulation, the decision was made to place an inferior vena cava filter. A bird's nest filter was placed in the inferior vena cava infra-renally without difficulty on 10/10/97. Later that same day, the patient became bradycardic (heart rate in 20's) and hypotensive. The patient was without a pulse and respiration and passed away.
