title: Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma: two case reports and review of the literature.
abstract: Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a rare complication of solid tumours. We report two cases of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis of LC can be overlooked without a high index of suspicion. Multifocality of symptoms and signs is the hallmark of LC. The combination of cerebrospinal fluid cytology and magnetic resonance imaging has a high diagnostic accuracy. The prognosis remains poor and therefore all therapies are still palliative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. Karel.Goddeeris@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goddeeris
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verslype
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wilms
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D008578:Meninges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography