Bilateral thalamic gliomas (BTGs) are rare brain tumors. In general, the prognosis is poor because of the involvement of bilateral thalami and limitations of surgical excision. Consequently, patients with symptoms of personality changes and memory impairment must be differentiated from others. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for the diagnosis of BTGs and reveals a hypo-intense lesion on T1-weighted images and a hyper-intense lesion on T2 images. We report a case of a 17-year-old female patient suffering from progressive cognitive dysfunction and personality changes and subsequent rehabilitation treatment. Brain MRI showed an enlarged bilateral thalamus, with hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and iso-intensity on T1-weighted images. A biopsy was performed, and the pathology revealed a high-grade glioma. The patient was referred for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She also underwent rehabilitation treatment for 5 weeks and showed improvement in standing balance, endurance, and speech fluency. The patient's Modified Barthel Index scores also improved. Cancer rehabilitation is important in brain tumor patients because they have a higher incidence of neurological sequelae than others. Rehabilitation of patients with a malignant brain tumor is also important for improving health-related quality of life by maintaining the general condition and preventing complications during and after cancer treatment.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Glioma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; Rehabilitation ; Thalamus

Bilateral cerebral peduncular infarction (BCPI) is a very rare disorder among stroke patients.The main clinical manifestations in the previously reported BCPI case reports was associated with locked-in syndrome or persistent vegetative state. Here, we present a 51-year-old woman who had pseudobulbar palsy and quadriplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an acute infarction in the middle areas of the cerebral peduncle with a unique “Mickey Mouse ears” sign. Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography showed relatively preserved corticospinal tracts, but the corticobulbar tracts were not detected. Magnetic resonance angiography showed posterior cerebral artery and vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. Cerebral perfusion insufficiency due to stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar artery and its branches may lead to BCPI. The prognosis and clinical manifestations of BCPI are related to the extent of the infarction in the involved cerebral peduncle and whether other territories are involved.Isolated BCPI may present a severe pseudobulbar palsy with relatively preserved limb function depending on the involvement pattern.

Good's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by thymoma associated with combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency in adults. Due to the lack of early onset of symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose this disorder. A 44-year-old man diagnosed with thymic carcinoma was admitted to the hospital with quadriplegia for 6 months. Brain abscess and meningoencephalitis were identified in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.Antibiotics, steroid, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were provided for 3 months.Follow-up MRI showed progression to C7-level. The radiologic findings were consistent with tuberculosis infection and thus, the patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medication.MRI of the brain and spine showed an improved state of meningoencephalomyelitis. In a laboratory study, there were decreased levels of peripheral B-cell and CD4 T-cell and decreased CD4:CD8 ratio; therefore, it confirmed that cellular immunity deteriorated. In addition to clinical findings, we were able to diagnose the patient with Good's syndrome.Good's syndrome is a highly suspicious disease in patients with thymoma who have recurrent unusual infections. Immunologic tests should be performed for diagnosis in which it can prevent delayed diagnosis and allow timely treatment.

Good's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by thymoma associated with combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency in adults. Due to the lack of early onset of symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose this disorder. A 44-year-old man diagnosed with thymic carcinoma was admitted to the hospital with quadriplegia for 6 months. Brain abscess and meningoencephalitis were identified in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.Antibiotics, steroid, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were provided for 3 months.Follow-up MRI showed progression to C7-level. The radiologic findings were consistent with tuberculosis infection and thus, the patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medication.MRI of the brain and spine showed an improved state of meningoencephalomyelitis. In a laboratory study, there were decreased levels of peripheral B-cell and CD4 T-cell and decreased CD4:CD8 ratio; therefore, it confirmed that cellular immunity deteriorated. In addition to clinical findings, we were able to diagnose the patient with Good's syndrome.Good's syndrome is a highly suspicious disease in patients with thymoma who have recurrent unusual infections. Immunologic tests should be performed for diagnosis in which it can prevent delayed diagnosis and allow timely treatment.

Humans ; Adolescent ; Pandemics ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Smoking ; Ethanol ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology* ; Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology*