Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Case report

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: case report and literature review

Authors: Beiduo Shen, Zhaoyu Ba, Yufeng Huang, Desheng Wu

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2023

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) of malignant tumors rarely happens. To the best of our knowledge, only five cases of ISCM from esophageal cancer have been reported in literature. We here report the sixth descripted case of ISCM from esophageal cancer.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old male presented with weakness of right limbs and localized neck pain two years after diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The gadolinium enhanced Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical spine showed a mixed-intense intramedullary tumor with typical more intense thin rim of peripheral enhancement in C4-C5. The patient died fifteen days after diagnosis of irreversible respiratory and circulatory failures. An autopsy was refused by his family.

Conclusions

This case highlights the importance of gadolinium enhanced MRI for diagnosis in ISCM. We believe that early diagnosis and surgery for selected patients shows helpfulness to save their neurologic function and improve quality of life.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Hashizume Y, Hirano A. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis.Pathologic findings in five autopsy cases. Acta Neuropathol. 1983;61:214–8.CrossRefPubMed Hashizume Y, Hirano A. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis.Pathologic findings in five autopsy cases. Acta Neuropathol. 1983;61:214–8.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Gasser T, Pospiech J, Stolke D, Schwechheimer K. Spinal intramedullary metastases. Report of two cases and review of the literature. Neurosurg Rev. 2001;24:88–92.CrossRefPubMed Gasser T, Pospiech J, Stolke D, Schwechheimer K. Spinal intramedullary metastases. Report of two cases and review of the literature. Neurosurg Rev. 2001;24:88–92.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Costigan D, Winkelman M. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis. A clinicopathological study of 13 cases. J Neurosurg. 1985;62:227–33.CrossRefPubMed Costigan D, Winkelman M. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis. A clinicopathological study of 13 cases. J Neurosurg. 1985;62:227–33.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Connolly EJ, Winfree C, McCormick P, et al. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surg Neurol. 1996;46:329–37.CrossRefPubMed Connolly EJ, Winfree C, McCormick P, et al. Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis: report of three cases and review of the literature. Surg Neurol. 1996;46:329–37.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Chason J, Walker F, Landers J. Metastatic carcinoma in the central nervous system and dorsal root ganglia.A prospective autopsy study. Cancer. 1963;16:781–7.CrossRefPubMed Chason J, Walker F, Landers J. Metastatic carcinoma in the central nervous system and dorsal root ganglia.A prospective autopsy study. Cancer. 1963;16:781–7.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Kim SH, Bak KH, Kim DW, et al. Primary intramedullary spinal sarcoma: a case report and review of the current literatures. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2010;48:448–51.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kim SH, Bak KH, Kim DW, et al. Primary intramedullary spinal sarcoma: a case report and review of the current literatures. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2010;48:448–51.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
go back to reference Schiff D, O´Neill B. Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: clinical features and treatment outcome. Neurology. 1996;47:906–12.CrossRefPubMed Schiff D, O´Neill B. Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: clinical features and treatment outcome. Neurology. 1996;47:906–12.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Gasser T, Sandalcioglu I, El Hamalawi B, et al. Surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord metastases of systemic cancer: functional outcome and prognosis. J Neuro-Oncology. 2005;73:163–8.CrossRef Gasser T, Sandalcioglu I, El Hamalawi B, et al. Surgical treatment of intramedullary spinal cord metastases of systemic cancer: functional outcome and prognosis. J Neuro-Oncology. 2005;73:163–8.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: case report and literature review
Authors
Beiduo Shen
Zhaoyu Ba
Yufeng Huang
Desheng Wu
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03147-0

Other articles of this Issue 1/2023

BMC Neurology 1/2023 Go to the issue