title: Intracranial metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate presenting with symptoms of spinal cord compression.
abstract: Spinal cord compression is a not uncommon complication of metastatic prostate cancer. Intracranial metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma is however unusual. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with metastatic prostate carcinoma, who presented with a 3-day history of lower limb weakness and collapse. Neurological assessment demonstrated increased tone and reduced power in both legs. As he had typical signs and symptoms of spinal cord compression, an MRI of the spine was performed; this demonstrated no evidence of cord compression. A subsequent CT of the brain demonstrated an extensive parafalcine metastasis. This revealed an extensive enhancing mass extending bilaterally along almost the entire length of the falx cerebri, measuring up to 3 cm in width and associated with marked white matter oedema in the adjacent brain bilaterally. Unfortunately, this man succumbed to his illness a few days later. The imaging findings are presented and highlight the importance of brain imaging in patients presenting with suspected cord compression due to prostatic metastatic disease when MR of the spine shows no evidence of cord compression.
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: Tarik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amer
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ablett
authors.affiliation: University Ayr Hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr, KA6 6DX Scotland UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meddings
keywords: Intracranial metastases; Oncology; Prostate cancer; Spinal cord compression