Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Radiological Findings of Neoplastic Meningitis.
BACKGROUND
Neoplastic meningitis is a complication of solid and hematological malignancies. It consists of the spread of malignant cells to the leptomeninges and subarachnoid space and their dissemination within the cerebrospinal fluid.


METHODS
A literature review was conducted to summarize the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, laboratory values, and imaging findings of neoplastic meningitis.


RESULTS
Neoplastic meningitis is an event in the course of cancer with a variable clinical presentation and a wide differential diagnosis. In general, characteristic findings on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and the presence of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid remain the cornerstones of diagnosis. However, both modalities do not always confirm the diagnosis of neoplastic meningitis despite a typical clinical picture.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians treating patients with cancer should be aware of the possibility of neoplastic meningitis, especially when multilevel neurological symptoms are present. Neoplastic meningitis can be an elusive diagnosis, so clinician awareness is important so that this malignant manifestation is recognized in a timely manner.
Third Oncology Department, Hygeia Hospital, Marousi, Athens, Greece.
Georgios
G
Rigakos
Third Oncology Department, Hygeia Hospital, Marousi, Athens, Greece.
Chrysoula I
CI
Liakou
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.
Naillid
N
Felipe
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Dennis
D
Orkoulas-Razis
Third Oncology Department, Hygeia Hospital, Marousi, Athens, Greece. Erazis@hygeia.gr.
Evangelia
E
Razis
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index