[Diffuse lower motor neuron disease in a carcinomatous meningitis].
BACKGROUND
Between 4 and 15% of solid cancers are associated with carcinomatous meningitis ant its unfavorable prognosis. The clinical presentation of neoplastic meningitis typically associates cerebral signs, cranial nerve involvement, and medullary or radicular symptoms.


METHODS
We report a case of a 58-year-old woman, with a history of breast cancer in remission since 8 years, who presented an acute paraparesia and a pure motor deficit of the left arm. This diffuse lower motor neuron disease was the inaugural sign of carcinomatous meningitis.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of cacinomatous meningitis is based on medullar MRI and lumbar puncture. In same cases, clinical signs are limited to a pure diffuse lower motor neuron disease.
Taithe
F
F
Fédération de Neurologie, CHU Gabriel Montpied, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. ftaithe@chu-clermontferrand.fr
Dionet
E
E
Durif
F
F
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000150:complications*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013129:Spinal Puncture