Metastatic breast cancer presenting as sequential cranial nerve palsy: a case report

Journal of Medical Case Reports

Peter Clark¹  Christopher M Hemmerdinger²  Indira M Madgula² 

[1] Clatterbridge Cancer Center NHS Foundation trust, Clatterbridge Hospital, Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral, Merseyside CH63 4JY, UK;Ophthalmology Department, Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington WA5 1QG, UK

关键词: Metastases;    Cranial nerve palsy;    Carcinomatous meningitis;    Breast cancer;   

Others  :  1180921
DOI  :  10.1186/1752-1947-8-430

 received in 2014-05-18, accepted in 2014-10-06,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Introduction

Cranial nerve palsy is a common presentation in the neuro-ophthalmology clinic and investigations are directed towards the cause. Metastatic breast cancer presenting as carcinomatous meningitis leading to sequential fourth, third and sixth nerve palsy is very rare. This is the first case to be reported to the best of our knowledge.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old Caucasian woman presented with vertical double vision for the previous 3 weeks. At 6-weeks follow up this had resolved. However, she presented with a new third and sixth cranial nerve palsy. Neuroimaging with contrast revealed carcinomatous meningitis.

Conclusions

Metastatic cancer may manifest as cerebral metastases or carcinomatous meningitis. This is evident on neuroimaging with contrast and may be missed on unenhanced scans.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Madgula et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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