Rapidly developing leptomeningeal carcinomatosis following anterior skull base surgery: a case report

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2007 Dec;34(4):565-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2007.03.001. Epub 2007 May 15.

Abstract

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is rare in evolution of head and neck cancers. Prognosis is poor and treatment is through supportive care. We report an atypical rapid post-operative leptomeningeal carcinomatosis after skull base resection for an ethmoidal adenocarcinoma. The anterior skull base resection was near-total and we suspect a seeding of subarachnoid space either before surgery, either during surgical extirpation or from the residual intracranial nodule. It is the first description of rapid LMC after surgery (less than 1 month). Post-operative MRI diagnosed the LMC through the detection of contrast enhancing leptomeningeal nodules at bilateral second and eighth cranial nerves and at bilateral interpedoncular area. A strong index of suspicion along with clinical and radiological correlation is essential to arrive at a correct diagnosis. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the possibility of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, before or after surgery, in a patient presents with an appropriate constellation of neurologic symptoms and a history of cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / secondary*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / surgery*
  • Aged
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / pathology
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / surgery*
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / secondary
  • Disease Progression
  • Ethmoid Sinus / pathology
  • Ethmoid Sinus / surgery*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Neoplasm Seeding*
  • Neoplasm, Residual / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm, Residual / etiology
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed