Diagnosis of brain metastases from a primary hemangiosarcoma of the spleen with magnetic resonance imaging.
BACKGROUND
Primary malignant splenic neoplasms are rare tumors. Apart from involvement of the spleen by malignant lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma is the most common form of primary malignant neoplasm in the spleen. The diagnosis often is made at autopsy or after spontaneous splenic rupture. The prognosis is usually poor, and widespread metastases soon occur.


METHODS
Currently, no case of metastasis to the brain has been reported to the authors' knowledge.


RESULTS
This case report describes a patient who, as the first sign of metastatic disease, had symptoms from brain metastases 3 months after splenectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance imaging was diagnostic.
Søndenaa
K
K
Department of Surgery, Rogaland Central County Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Heikkilä
R
R
Nysted
A
A
Søreide
J A
JA
Odegaard
H
H
Pollard
M L
ML
Holter
J
J
D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed