title: Diagnostic Tests in Neoplastic Meningitis: Lessons Learnt from Three Patients.
abstract: Neoplastic meningitis (NM) poses diagnostic challenges and investigations need to be chosen carefully. We present three cases of NM with distinct learning points. In case 1, MRI was diagnostic of melanosis; in case 2, ventricular CSF showed malignant cells when lumbar CSF repeatedly failed to show them; and in the third, whole body PET scan diagnosed the tumour when other tests were negative. A comparative evaluation of various diagnostic modalities used in suspected NM is provided.
authors.forename: Satish V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Khadilkar
authors.forename: Devshi R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Visana
authors.forename: Nadir E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Bharucha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008578:Meninges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D055815:Young Adult