Chronic subdural hematoma secondary to metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the dura mater and skull--a case report

A 72 year-old woman was hospitalized with the complaint of headache and nausea. Under the diagnosis of right chronic subdural hematoma, a small craniotomy was performed for the total removal of the hematoma. The patient died 14 days after the operation because of the complication of acute DIC. Histologically, metastasis of adenocarcinoma was detected in the dura mater and skull. Previously reported cases of subdural hematoma secondary to cancer were reviewed in the literature. It is considered that a coagulation defect such as DIC may play a significant role in the development of subdural hematoma. It is suggested that the chronic subdural hematoma in the present case was caused by chronic DIC due to metastasis of bone marrow, and that the patient deteriorated as a result of acute DIC triggered by the surgical therapy.     

A case report and review of the literature

Primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis (PDLG) is a rare central nervous system neoplasm in which gliomatous tissue is diffusely identified in the subarachnoid space with no evidence of a primary intraparenchymal tumor. A 52-year-old man presented low back pain followed by sudden unconsciousness and had also cognitive dysfunction and meningeal sign. Examinations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) did not show malignant cells but increased protein and pleocytosis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement without any source of intraparenchymal lesion. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) also demonstrated individual diffuse high intensity area in the subarachnoid space. A biopsy disclosed wide spreading of anaplastic glial cells within the leptomeninges. He died 3 months later because of disease progression despite both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Post-mortem examination identified PDLG and several neuropathological features of glioblastoma as well. Reviewing previous cases of PDLG instructs that this entity is rare, resembles meningitis in clinical pictures, usually occurs in a relatively younger population and has more progressive clinical course than the ordinary form of malignant gliomas.     

Spontaneous acute subdural hematoma as the initial manifestation of chronic myeloid leukemia

Spontaneous acute subdural hematoma is rare and limited to sporadic case reports, associated with neoplasm, aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation and cocaine use. Subdural hematoma has also been reported in association with leukemic malignancies, either during therapy or after diagnosis. However, there are no reports of spontaneous acute subdural hematoma as the primary initial presenting manifestation of a chronic myeloid leukemia. Here we describe one case of a 53-year-old male that presented with severe right-sided headache and intermittent left-sided paresthesias. CT scan showed non-traumatic right-sided acute subdural hematoma. Further evaluation revealed that the patient had chronic myeloid leukemia. His peripheral white blood count normalized after Gleevec and hydroxyurea chemotherapy. Furthermore, he had no neurological deficits after his subdural collection was adequately evacuated.     

Melanoma leptomeningeal dissemination following frontoparietal metastasis surgery: Case report and review of the literature

We present the case of a patient with a solitary left frontoparietal brain metastasis of melanoma previously treated with surgery. Three months later, the patient was admitted to the emergency room in a confusional state with meningeal signs. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test and magnetic resonance imaging findings suggested a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and/or meningeal carcinomatosis. The results of a cytological examination of the CSF showed neoplastic epithelial cells consistent with metastatic melanoma cells. Resection of metastatic posterior fossa lesions is often cited as a risk factor for leptomeningeal dissemination, however, when the resection is limited to the anterior fossa, this complication is relatively rare. In contrast, SAH may be a complication of leptomeningeal dissemination and responsible for acute meningeal syndrome. Treatment with high doses of corticoids did not show any improvement, and intrathecal chemotherapy was not possible due to the patient's poor functional status. She succumbed 1 week after admission.     

Primary intracranial dural lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type: report of one case and review of the literature

Primary indolent leptomeningeal lymphoma is a rare entity, and corresponds in most cases to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type lymphoma. We are reporting a case of a 75 years old woman, who presented with a 2-year history of behavioral disorder, progressive memory loss and aphasia. Neuroimaging showed a mass infiltrating the frontal circumvolutions and the roof of the orbit. The biopsy revealed an infiltration of the dura by an indolent lymphoma, characteristic of a MALT-type lymphoma. Complete staging work-up did not show any evidence of systemic involvement. A treatment with systemic methotrexate, combined with intrathecal chemotherapy and followed by radiotherapy (30,6 Gy) of the primary site, was conducted. The 3-year follow-up confirms the persistent remission, the patient remaining well and free of symptoms. The review of the literature highlights the importance to recognize the indolent PLML as a distinct clinical entity, which exhibits a rather good prognosis following a relatively non-toxic therapy.     

Diffuse primary leptomeningeal gliomatosis

A 38 year old patient developed multiple cranial nerve palsy, seizures and progressive alteration in consciousness. CSF examination revealed tumor cells and a tentative diagnosis of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from an unknown primary tumor was made. Treatment with intrathecal methotrexate and cranial radiation therapy was started without effect. At autopsy widespread leptomeningeal gliomatosis originating from a previously unknown astrocytoma of the hippocampus was found.     

Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis: pitfalls and benefits of combined analysis using cytomorphology and flow cytometry

BACKGROUND:

Cerebrospinal fluid samples with doubtful morphologic interpretation are a common problem in the workup of patients with clinical signs for leptomeningeal disease. The authors report on the combination of morphology and flow cytometry in the diagnosis of leptomeningeal disease in patients with radiological, clinical, or cytological findings suspicious for leukemia or lymphoma with spread into the cerebrospinal fluid.

METHODS:

The authors defined a set of antibodies for flow cytometric analysis, which is capable of distinguishing between malignant and nonmalignant hematopoietic cells. One hundred twenty‐seven cases were analyzed with both methods.

RESULTS:

The additional application of flow cytometry resulted in an improvement of diagnostic reliability in 29 of 127 cases. Diagnostic sensitivity was raised from 73% (cytology) to 96% (flow cytometry), specificity from 94% to 97%, the positive predictive value from 88% to 96%, and the negative predictive value from 76% to 97%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Because the appropriate selection of markers is crucial to successful analysis, the authors suggested a highly selected panel of antibodies for flow cytometry analysis of cerebrospinal fluid samples. The authors were able to demonstrate that leptomeningeal disease caused by leukemia or lymphoma can be diagnosed by flow cytometry and discriminated from reactive pleocytosis in most cases of doubtful morphology. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

MR Imaging of Primary Pulmonary Lymphoma

We present a patient with primary pulmonary lymphoma studied by magnetic resonance (MR), whose MR appearance was considered to be suggestive of the disorder. On TI-weighted MR images the tumour was seen as a large mass with homogeneous signal intensity, replacing the entire left lower lobe, while on T2-weighted images it was demonstrated as a homogeneous mass with a surrounding thin layer of greater signal intensity. This discrimination was not possible with computed tomography.     

Magnetic resonance images of primary malignant lymphoma of the uterine body: a case report

Primary malignant lymphoma of the uterine body is extremely rare. There are few reports concerning magnetic resonance images (MR) of uterine body lymphoma although there are several reports concerning uterine cervical lymphoma. The MR images of a 66-year-old woman with primary malignant lymphoma of the uterine body showed that the myometrium was diffusely involved, exhibiting an almost homogeneous character, and the normal zonal anatomy of the uterine cervix was preserved, with the endometrium being partly recognized near the center of the tumor. We report suggestive findings on MR images of primary malignant lymphoma of the uterine body.     

Implantation Metastasis along the Stereotactic Biopsy Tract in Anaplastic Astrocytoma: A Case Report

Objective and importance: Stereotactic biopsy for brain lesion is usually a safe procedure and the reported rate of complication is minimal. Moreover, local seeding along the trajectory of the stereotactic biopsy is a rare complication. The authors report a case of metastatic implantation along the trajectory of the stereotactic biopsy in anaplastic astrocytoma. Clinical presentation: A 64-Year-old man who presented with a one-month history of speech and memory disturbance underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that disclosed a large mass in the left basal ganglia and medial temporal region. Intervention: Under the impression of high-grade glioma, computed tomography guided stereotactic biopsy was performed using the Riechert–Mundinger system. The histologic diagnosis was anaplastic astrocytoma. MR images after two cycles of chemotherapy showed a small enhancing portion in the middle of the biopsy tract, which was considered a surgical artifact and not included in the field of the following conventional fractionated radiation therapy. MR images three months after the completion of radiation therapy revealed that the enhancing portion had become a larger mass irrespective of good control of the primary tumor. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that tumor seeding along the stereotactic biopsy trajectory must be considered if an enhancing lesion appears in the MR image following the stereotactic biopsy. The cause and the prevention of implantation metastasis along the stereotactic biopsy tract are also discussed.     

Prostate-specific antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid: A marker of local disease

Leptomeningeal involvement from prostate cancer is a rare complication with dismal prognosis. Prostate-specific antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid may be found elevated and can be used as a marker for local disease. We present the case of a patient with prostate cancer and leptomeningeal metastases who had high levels of prostate-specific antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid.     

Unusual extra‐axial central nervous system involvement of non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Magnetic resonance imaging

The MR imaging findings in a patient with non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma with unusual involvement of the sella, pituitary stalk and left parasellar region are reported here. On the basis of the MR imaging findings, the initial differential diagnosis included invasive pituitary adenoma, a granulomatous lesion and en plaque meningioma. Trans‐sphenoidal biopsy of the sellar mass showed chronic inflammatory changes and the patient was initially treated for tuberculosis. Because follow‐up imaging showed the lesion to be progressive, a biopsy was done of an enlarged right inguinal lymph node. This revealed non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma.     

A case of coexistent adenocarcinoma and primary malignant lymphoma of the stomach

A case of a simultaneous adenocarcinoma and a primary malignant lymphoma of the stomach is presented. A sixty-one-year-old male was referred to us with epigastralgia. Gastroscopy and a biopsy revealed a *** c-like lesion in the stomach and, on histological examination, was determined as being an adenocarcinoma. A proximal gastrectomy and an R2-resection of lymph nodes then was performed. A pathological examination of the resected stomach disclosed a malignant lymphoma neighboring the adenocarcinoma. The presence of a simultaneous carcinoma and a malignant lymphoma of the stomach is quite rare, with only twenty-eight documented patients reported in the Japanese literature. This entity is discussed.     

Primary lymphoma of the heart. A case report

The necropsy findings of a large cell lymphoma involving only the pericardium and myocardium in a 62-year-old woman are reported. The initial presenting symptoms were heart failure followed by rapidly progressive heart block. The diagnosis of cardiac lymphoma was suggested by gallium and blood pool isotope studies, and was subsequently confirmed by operative myocardial biopsy. The clinical course was abrupt, and the patient died before therapy was instituted. While primary cardiac lymphoma is an extremely rare condition, experience in this case suggests that noninvasive isotope studies, particularly gallium and blood pool, are helpful in the diagnosis of atypical cardiomyopathy.     

Cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst of the breast

Cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst of the breast is a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. Two cases of cerebrospinal pseudocyst of the breast are reported here. The mammography and ultrasound findings in these two cases are described.     

Longterm meningeal involvement as the only clinical manifestation of low grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Summary We present the case of a 56-year old man who developed -at the age of 46-paraesthesia and numbness in the perianal region, the feet and lower legs accompanied by the presence of B-lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite intensive work-up an explanation was not found until he developed hepato-splenomegaly ten years after the initial symptoms. Haematologic evaluation at that time disclosed a low-grade malignant B-cell lymphoma. Repeated CSF examination revealed 31 leukocytes/mm³, of which were mainly lymphocytes. These proved to be B-lymphocytes of monoclonal origin. These findings suggest that a leptomeningeal localisation of a low-grade malignant lymphoma had been present for ten years before systemic manifestation of the disease.     

Bilateral synchronous spindle cell, apocrine and scirrhous carcinoma breast cancer in a case or malignant lymphoma

An unusual case of synchronous bilateral breast cancer occurring during combination chemotherapy and radiation to the outside of the breast for malignant lymphoma is reported. Two histologically rare carcinomas, spindle cell carcinoma and apocrine carcinoma, were observed in this case. A 77-year-old woman, who had been treated for stage IIIA non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, developed bilateral breast tumors. Aspiration biopsy cytology findings of the tumor in the left breast showed several clusters of adenocarcinoma cells and some large atypical spindle shaped cells, which suggested spindle cell carcinoma. The cytologic findings of the right breast tumor were highly suggestive of scirrhous carcinoma. A modified radical mastectomy was performed on both breasts. Pathological examination disclosed two separate cancer lesions in the left breast. The lesion which had been detected before the operation, was a spindle cell carcinoma. Another lesion, detected for the first time by pathological examination, was an apocrine carcinoma. The lesion in the right breast was a scirrhous carcinoma. Since non-invasive foci were detected in these three cancer lesions, each lesion was thought to be a primary cancer. All dissected bilateral axillary lymph nodes showed malignant lymphoma. Immuno-histochemistry of the spindle cell carcinoma revealed positive immunoreactivity for cytokeratin, which suggested the epithelial as well as mesenchymal nature of this tumor. Synchronous existence of malignant lymphoma and three independent breast cancers including spindle cell carcinoma and apocrine carcinoma is very rare.     

Primary intracranialRhabdomyosarcoma: Case report and review of the literature

Summary Invasion of the meninges is a relatively common complication of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), while RMS arising primarily within the brain or meninges is rare. We report the case of an 11-year old child with a primary “primitive” frontal lobe tumor, subsequent leptomeningeal spread and fatal intratumoral hemorrhage; the diagnosis of RMS was discovered only at postmortem examination. The literature contains a total of 34 reported cases of primary intracranial RMS. This tumor has been observed to arise in a variety of central nervous system (CNS) locations in patients of all ages, but most commonly within the posterior fossa of children. Leptomeningeal dissemination and spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage are important clinical features. Postoperative chemotherapy and craniospinal radiation may improve the anticipated poor prognosis of patients treated with surgery and radiation alone. The diagnosis of RMS may be missed unless electron microscopic and specific immunohistochemical studies are applied to “undifferentiated” or “primitive” CNS tumors.     

Long-term spontaneous regression of Stage IV diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disorder accounting for >30% of all lymphomas. Its prognosis is poor due to a high relapse rate. Spontaneous regression (SR) in DLBCL is rare, with only a few reported cases. Moreover, almost all of these were low-grade lymphomas with an average SR duration of 13 mo. As the cause of SR is unknown, there are many theories such as trauma, infection, medication, and an antitumor immune response. We present a patient with progressive DLBCL who demonstrated SR for >42 mo. Although treatment for lymphoma usually starts soon after diagnosis, insights into SR of lymphomas may lead to new treatment strategies.     

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising in an intramammary lymph node

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the breast may be primary or secondary. Both are rare and there are no morphological criteria to make the differential diagnosis. Benign intramammary lymph nodes are often encountered, but the development of either primary or secondary lymphoma within an intramammary lymph node is extremely rare. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who presented with a palpable mass in her right breast. A mammography showed a large intramammary lymph node from which a biopsy was taken. On morphological and immunohistochemical examination the tumor fulfilled the criteria of NHL originating in an intramammary lymph node. The patient received chemotherapy which led to the disappearance of the mass. A review of the literature revealed that this is the third reported case of primary NHL originating in an intramammary lymph node.