A case of lung cancer with osteoblastic metastasis diagnosed with visual impairment

Abstract

Bone metastasis is relatively common in patients with lung cancers. Although there are some reports of osteolytic skull base metastasis in lung cancer, osteoblastic skull base metastasis is quite rare. A 56-year-old male presented with lung adenocarcinoma who developed vision loss due to papilledema in both eyes with intracranial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed no obvious lesions in the intracranial space. Bone scintigraphy, magnetic resonance venography, and computed tomography showed left internal jugular vein stenosis with osteoblastic metastasis protruding into the left jugular foramen. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery improved papilledema and ameliorated vision loss. This case is a reminder that a patient with lung cancer can demonstrate osteoblastic skull base metastasis, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is an effective and palliative method for such patients.

Keywords

• Bone metastasis
• Osteoblastic
• Internal jugular vein