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Neoplastic Meningitis with Normal Neurological Findings Magnetic Resonance Imaging Results
Author(s) -
Elliott Paul,
Ku Ni Ni,
Werner Mark H.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of neuroimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1552-6569
pISSN - 1051-2284
DOI - 10.1111/jon199554233
Subject(s) - medicine , headaches , magnetic resonance imaging , cerebrospinal fluid , lumbar puncture , radiology , meningitis , neurological examination , cancer , pathology , surgery
Neoplastic meningitis, an unusual complication of systemic cancer, is becoming more common as cancer patients live longer. Although leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors are usually associated with multifocal neurological signs, the authors report on 4 patients who presented with normal findings on neurological exammation. One man had severe headache and complex partial seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the bram revealed gadolmium enhancement of multiple cranial nerves. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology was positive for melanoma. One woman presented with severe migratory retroorbital headaches. MRIs of the brain with and without gadolinium appeared normal CSF cytology was positive for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. One man presented with morning headache, and a woman presented with back pain. Both had CSF cytologies positive for lymphoma. Neoplastic meningitis can occur without abnormalities on neurological or MRI examinations. Lumbar punctures should be performed on cancer patients with severe, unusual, or prolonged headaches.