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BMC Neurology

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Case report

Meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to neurenteric cysts with malignant transformation: a case report

Authors: Min Chu, Leiming Wang, Hong Ye, Junjie Li, Dehong Lu, Yueshan Piao, Liyong Wu

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Meningeal carcinomatosis is mainly associated with breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. However, meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to a neurenteric cyst with malignant features is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with a 10-month history of headache, 6-month history of diplopia, 4-month history of hearing loss, and 1-month history of back pain, suggesting a diagnosis of chronic meningitis. Notably, enhanced brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extensive lesions with enhancement signals in the pia mater of the pons and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal cord. The cerebral spinal fluid profile showed that pressure was significantly elevated, with a slight increase in leukocytes that mostly comprised mononuclear cells and decreased glucose concentration. Cytology evaluation showed a small cluster of atypical nuclei, which were suspected to be tumor cells arising from the epithelium. However, no primary tumor was found through comprehensive body and skin screening. After a histopathological biopsy of subarachnoid meninx of the thoracic spinal canal, the cause of meningeal carcinomatosis of this patient was determined as neurenteric cysts with malignant features, which is extremely rare.

Conclusion

This is the first case to ever report neurenteric cysts as a cause of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis and the first ever report of neurenteric cysts presenting as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis without typical cyst visible on brain MRI. This extremely rare case provided a novel view on the pathogenesis of meningeal carcinomatosis and clinical presentation of neurenteric cysts, highlighting the value of meningeal biopsy in chronic meningitis of unknown causes.

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Title: Meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to neurenteric cysts with malignant transformation: a case report
Authors: Min Chu
Leiming Wang
Hong Ye
Junjie Li
Dehong Lu
Yueshan Piao
Liyong Wu
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Meningitis
Diplopia
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02978-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to neurenteric cysts with malignant transformation: a case report

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusion

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