Brain Stem Tumor in Early Gestation: Two Case Reports.Iran J Med Sci 2026 May; 51(5):372-376.IJ
Pontine and brainstem tumors during pregnancy are rare. However, they carry a high maternal mortality risk due to symptom overlap with common pregnancy-related conditions. Diagnosis and management are often delayed and remain challenging. This study presented two cases of pregnant patients with brainstem tumors. The first case involved an 18-week pregnant woman presenting with otitis-like symptoms, facial palsy, right-sided paresthesia, and paralysis. By the time a definitive diagnosis was established, the tumor had become inoperable, and the patient died from tumor-related complications. The second case involved a 23-week pregnant woman who presented with headache, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, and significant weight loss. The pregnancy ended shortly after admission due to preterm premature rupture of membranes, and the patient subsequently died following tumor resection as a result of massive intracranial hemorrhage. These cases highlighted the high risk of misdiagnosis due to overlap with common pregnancy-related symptoms and highlighted the importance of early neurological evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely management.
