Meningeal carcinomatosis as the initial manifestation of a gallbladder adenocarcinoma associated with a Krukenberg tumor

• Main Author: Miyagui,Tizuko
• Publication Date: 2003
• Other Authors: Luchemback,Luciana, Teixeira,Graça Helena Maia do Canto, Azevedo,Kátia Martins Lopes de
• Format: Report
• Language: eng
• Source: Revista do Hospital das Clínicas
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0041-87812003000300007
• topic: Ovarian neoplasms; Gallbladder cancer; Carcinomatosis; Metastasis; Meningitis

A case of malignant neoplasm is described in which the initial manifestations were mental dysfunction and meningeal irritation, mimicking chronic or subacute meningitis. Physical examination showed cranial nerve involvement and a pelvic tumor. There was progressive deterioration, and death occurred in 2 weeks. The autopsy revealed a gallbladder adenocarcinoma, meningeal carcinomatosis, and ovarian metastasis presenting as a Krukenberg tumor. The authors emphasize the importance of including meningeal carcinomatosis as a possibility in the differential diagnosis of non-characteristic clinical pictures, as well as the importance of the cerebrospinal fluid cytologic examination, repeated as needed, in order to confirm this diagnosis.