Isolated translocation of Wernicke's area to the right hemisphere in a 62-year-man with a temporo-parietal glioma

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2004 Jan;25(1):130-3.

Abstract

We describe a case of translocation of temporo-parietal language function (Wernicke's area) to the contralateral hemisphere in a right-handed patient with a left temporo-parietal glioma. This translocation was identified by functional MR imaging (fMRI) and validated by direct cortical stimulation during gross-total resection. The current case exemplifies how preoperative fMRI can identify unexpected language organization as a result of tumor growth, affording surgery to patients who may otherwise be deemed inoperable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Craniotomy
  • Glioma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Parietal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Parietal Lobe / pathology*
  • Parietal Lobe / surgery
  • Radiography
  • Temporal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology*
  • Temporal Lobe / surgery