title: Neoplastic meningitis presenting with dysphagia and bilateral vocal cord paralysis.
abstract: Neoplastic meningitis is the infiltration of the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space by tumor cells occurring in 3% to 5% of patients with systemic malignancies. Most cases present with multifocal neurological symptoms that vary according to the central nervous system territory involved. Here, we describe the first reported case to our knowledge of neoplastic meningitis causing bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Early diagnosis of this progressive disease process is essential to achieving a better treatment response and improved survival. This report demonstrates that neoplastic meningitis should be considered in the investigation of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, particularly in patients with a history of metastatic disease.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Peter R
authors: PR
authors: Dixon
authors: Hussain
authors: H
authors: Alsaffar
authors: Sean P
authors: SP
authors: Symons
authors: Danny
authors: D
authors: Enepekides
authors: Kevin M
authors: KM
authors: Higgins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Vocal cord paralysis; cranial nerve neoplasms; meningeal neoplasms