Leandro Castan Has Brain Surgery: Latest on Roma Star's Status and Recovery

Roma defender Leandro Castan is recovering after he underwent brain surgery on Dec. 3. 

Continue for updates.

Monday, Dec. 8

Castan Leaves Hospital

Roma's official website provided a positive development in Castan's recovery:

"

Leandro Castan is recovering well from his operation and today left the clinic to go home, where he will begin a period of rehabilitation.

A CT scan has revealed the cavernoma has been completely removed. The player is in good health and his neurological faculties are returning.

"

Friday, Dec. 5

Castan Continues to Make Good Recovery

Roma provided an update on Castan on the club's website on Friday:

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Leandro Castan continues to make a good recovery after his operation. The player is already on his feet and has taken a few steps. There are no neurological complications and the prognosis is good. Leandro will watch his team-mates in action tomorrow as Roma play Sassuolo.

"

Thursday, Dec. 4

Castan Conscious After Surgery

Roma released a statement on Castan on the club's official website on Thursday:

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Leandro Castan has successfully negotiated the first 24 hours after his operation. He is conscious and interacting with family members and medical staff. He has now left the intensive care unit, but is still being constantly monitored.
He is progressing as expected, though no prognosis has yet been released.

"

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Castan Undergoes Brain Surgery

Roma defender Leandro Castan is set for an extended spell away from football after it was confirmed by the Serie A club that he underwent neurosurgery on Wednesday. 

An official statement from Roma explained:

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Leandro Castan underwent neurosurgery this morning to remove the cavernoma discovered after the player complained of acute dizziness during a match.

The operation, which began at 8:30 am and finished at 12 pm, was carried out using a surgical microscope and neuronavigator, whilst the player’s neurophysiological activity was constantly monitored. The cavernoma itself, which measured 3 cm, was completely removed. This was confirmed by an MRI scan carried out immediately after the operation.

Castan has now woken up and is breathing unaided, and has been informed of the operation’s successful outcome. He will remain in intensive care for the next 24 hours, after which a prognosis will be formed.

"

According to Football Italia, the centre-back could be out for a stint lasting between six to eight months after being diagnosed with the brain malformation.

The news will come as a major blow to all those associated with the Giallorossi. The Brazilian formed a formidable defensive partnership with Mehdi Benatia during the 2013/14 season and, after the Moroccan’s transfer to Bayern Munich last summer, Castan was expected to emerge as the club’s premier defender.

Paolo Giovannini/Associated Press

Castan’s amicable nature makes him one of the most popular figures with both the Roma players and supporters, and the support for him has been unanimous.

“After his surgery, he will return to being a Roma player,” said Giallorossi manager Rudi Garcia, per Michael Butler of The Guardian. “We will wait for him, but now we must leave him alone.”

According to Ian Stuart of Cavernoma Alliance UK, it is difficult to know for certain how dangerous Castan's malady can be. "It’s not a life-threatening condition on the whole," Stuart said (per Butler), "but it can be, depending on the size and of the bleed, the skill of the surgeon and a great deal of luck."