Leptomeningeal metastases from lung carcinoma

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

History of lung carcinoma.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female

There are multiple nodular enhancing lesions identified involving the sulci and adjacent the cortex of the middle left frontal gyrus, inferior left frontal gyrus, left parietal lobe, right occipital lobe and in the right superior frontal gyrus. Those in the left frontal lobe exhibit ring enhancement pattern and surrounding edema, however, without significant mass effect over the brain parenchyma. Spectroscopy performed in the left inferior frontal lesion demonstrates mild choline elevation. MRI perfusion is unremarkable.

Remainder appearance and intensity of brain parenchyma is normal.
Ventricular system and cisternal spaces appear normal.
There is no shift of the midline structures.
The visualized orbits, paranasal sinuses and calvarium appear unremarkable.

Conclusion:
Multiple brain enhancing lesions in keeping with metastatic disease.

Case Discussion

In a patient with a known history of lung carcinoma these multiple nodular ring enhancing lesions are in keeping with CNS metastasis. Instead of being located in the grey-white matter junction, these lesions are identified involving the sulci and adjacent cortex, which suggests more likely leptomeningeal involvement than a brain parenchyma involvement.

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