Objective: Examine the relationship between dysarthria and MRI findings in a patient with left posterior mesial temporal lobe glioma and further evaluate the role of corticosteroid therapy in mitigating associated cerebral edema.

Background: Dysarthria, a motor speech disorder due to muscular dysfunction, often correlates with tumor location. The use of advanced imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), offers clinicians vital information on the structural changes caused by these tumors, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the spatial interactions that may contribute to dysarthria. Furthermore, the use of corticosteroids is an essential component in treating tumors due to their capacity to reduce cerebral edema in areas involved with speech production. As such, this study aims to link detailed MRI findings of a temporal lobe glioma with the manifestation of dysarthria and assess the impact of steroids in mitigating speech impairments through edema reduction.

Method: We conducted a detailed case study of a 33-year-old female with a low-grade glioma, focusing on the lesion’s neuroimaging characteristics and its association with speech dysfunction. The patient’s MRI was analyzed, highlighting lesion size, location, and characteristics, emphasizing the effect of corticosteroid therapy on cerebral edema.

Results: MRI findings demonstrated a T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense lesion along the left posterior mesial temporal lobe, measuring approximately 35x32x29 mm, with early extension into the splenium of the corpus callosum—a location that plays a crucial role in speech production. A decrease in edema was noted following corticosteroid therapy, paralleling a modest improvement in speech articulation and fluency. These findings suggest that edema exacerbated dysarthric symptoms.

Conclusion: This case illustrates the direct relationship between glioma location in the left posterior mesial temporal lobe and dysarthria. Corticosteroids appear to play a role in symptom management, primarily by reducing cerebral edema rather than directly influencing neuromotor pathways. These insights advocate for further research into the specific neurological impacts of glioma locations, enriching the understanding of tumor-induced speech disorders within neuro-oncology and movement disorder fields.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/correlating-dysarthria-with-mri-findings-in-temporal-lobe-glioma-impact-of-steroid-therapy-on-cerebral-edema/