Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (Sep 2015)

Gliomatosis cerebri with spinal metastasis presenting with chronic meningitis in two boys

  • Yi-Heng Lin,
  • Yen-Wen Chang,
  • Shih-Hung Yang,
  • Hsiu-Hao Chang,
  • Meng-Yao Lu,
  • Pi-Chuan Fan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2012.10.024
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 114, no. 9
pp. 886 – 890

Abstract

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Spinal cord involvement in gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is uncommon. We report two patients with GC, who initially presented with chronic meningitis and were treated with antituberculous drugs. Although tumor meningitis was suspected, due to the intractable clinical course, a correct diagnosis was established after performing a biopsy examination of the metastatic spinal lesion which was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cerebrospinal fluid examination, including cytology, should be performed repetitively for patients with chronic meningitis refractory to antibiotic treatment. Spinal MRI is necessary for the complete neurological workup, even when the patients do not show spinal symptoms.

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