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Hypercarbia in a Pediatric Patient With Relapsed Medulloblastoma
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Hypercarbia in a Pediatric Patient With Relapsed Medulloblastoma

Mitchell A Luangrath, Mariko Sato and Cody R Tigges
Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), Vol.14(10)
10/07/2022
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30034
PMCID: PMC9637379
PMID: 36348886
url
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30034View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Pediatric medulloblastoma is a common form of pediatric brain tumor and typically presents with progressive signs of increased intracranial pressure and ataxia. Relapse of the disease is most often diagnosed on surveillance imaging. We present the case of a 13-year-old boy with a previous history of medulloblastoma who presented with chronic hypercarbic respiratory failure as a symptom of a recurrent tumor. Imaging demonstrated a left cerebellar enhancing mass with leptomeningeal thickness and extension to the posterior medulla oblongata, which is the center for respiratory control. His hypercarbic respiratory failure represents a unique presentation of a central nervous system (CNS) tumor. Thus, this case illustrates the importance of thorough evaluation for CNS tumors involving the brainstem in patients with respiratory acidosis and no clear pulmonary etiology. 
 Oncology Pediatrics hypercarbic respiratory failure medulloblastoma Other pediatric critical care pediatric oncology pediatric respiratory failure

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