title: Myeloma Presenting in the Base of the Skull.
abstract: Of 385 consecutive patients with a proven diagnosis of myeloma seen over a 15 year period, only four presented with symptoms and signs due to involvement of the skull base. This rare occurrence is in striking contrast to the frequency with which radiologic changes can be demonstrated in the bones of the calvarium during the course of most individual's disease. Response to treatment was obtained in all four, of whom one is a longterm survivor. This experience is reported emphasising the need to consider the possibility of myeloma in people with unexplained craniospinal symptoms and signs. In addition, the radiologic changes are tabulated in the hope that a pattern may emerge which will alert physicians to the presence of this rare situation.
authors.affiliation: a University of Cape Town and Croote Schuur Hospital.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: b Department of Neuroradiology , University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Handler
authors.affiliation: c Department of Community Medicine , University of Pretoria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Girdler-Brown
keywords: Myeloma; plasmacytoma; skull base