Intracranial tumor manifesting in the 2nd week of pregnancy: case report in a 24year old female

Abstract

The presence of a brain tumor complicating pregnancy is a relatively rare phenomenon. Though several 
cases have been recorded, there is scanty data describing such an occurrence in Nigeria and particularly 
cerebellar glioma. Pregnancy often masks the presence of an intracranial neoplasm, and may increase the 
risk of mis-diagnosis. This is because symptoms such as headache, vomiting, visual disturbance which are 
signs of raised intracranial pressure, are often encountered in pregnancy with or without pre-eclampsia. A 
high index of suspicion on the part of the obstetrician is key to timely diagnosis. Although an enhanced brain 
CT is able to make the diagnosis readily and facilitate further management, MRI is superior in defining the 
exact relationships of intracranial S.O.L, but may not be readily available in developing countries as in the 
present circumstance. Diagnostic imaging such as CT scan performed timely, is extremely useful in 
demonstrating the size, location and relationship of a possible lesion. Furthermore, because it is more widely 
available than MRI, it is often an invaluable tool in the initial assessment of normo-tensive pregnant patients 
presenting with features of raised ICP. Once diagnosis is made, the management can be successfully tailored 
to suit individual patients’ need. Despite the challenges posed by non-surgical management of glioma during 
pregnancy, normal delivery and healthy live birth is still possible.