Leandro Castan: Roma defender 'breathing unaided' after successful brain surgery

Brazilian defender remains in intensive care

(Getty Images)

Roma have confirmed that centre-back Leandro Castan has successfully completed neurosurgery to remove a malformation in his brain.

The Brazilian, 28, has not played since September after being taken off at half-time at Empoli complaining of acute dizziness.

The club said that the cavernoma, clusters of abnormal blood vessels in the brain, measured just over an inch and was "completely removed" during three and a half hour long surgery.

Castan woke up from the surgery completely unaided, though he will remain in intensive care for the next day so that he can be monitored.

Castan joined Roma from Corinthians in 2012 and had been a first-team regular since arriving, playing in 66 of a possible 76 Serie A matches in the last two seasons.

The disease is not life-threatening, though an individual is at risk of seizures and stroke if it goes untreated.

Additional reporting from AP