Solitary cerebellar metastasis of malignant pleural mesothelioma: case report.
BACKGROUND
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an uncommon malignancy that rarely metastasizes to the central nervous system and even less frequently occurs as a solitary lesion.


METHODS
We present a 71-year-old white female, nonsmoker, with no occupational exposure to asbestos. She presented with a 15-lb. weight loss over several months and persistent right subscapular pain radiating to her anterior chest. Imaging studies revealed a pleural mass, and biopsy confirmed fibrous type malignant pleural mesothelioma. During a metastatic workup, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head demonstrated a 1 cm subcortical, contrast-enhancing lesion without surrounding edema in the right posterior cerebellum. Surgical resection of the solitary cerebellar mass revealed fibrous-type metastatic malignant mesothelioma. Postoperatively, the patient received a combined chemotherapy regimen of Adriamycin and Cisplatin and underwent whole brain radiation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
We report the first resection of a solitary cerebellar metastasis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. We also review past cases of intracranial metastasis of this malignancy, its histologic subtypes, outcome, and recent treatment modalities.
Winfree
Christopher J
CJ
Department of Neurological Surgery, The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Mack
William J
WJ
Sisti
Michael B
MB
D000368:Aged; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery