Meningeal carcinomatosis causing paroxysmal and reversible right midbrain symptoms: a case report.

Abstract

Meningeal carcinomatosis is known to cause a variety of symptoms. Here, we report a case of meningeal carcinomatosis due to lung cancer in which the patient developed short, frequently recurrent localized symptoms originating from the right midbrain. We considered a diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis based on a similar reported case. The underlying mechanisms of the symptoms are unknown, but we suspect that epileptic seizures of brainstem origin or hemiplegic migraine-like symptoms with brainstem symptoms are possible causes. While meningeal carcinomatosis can be challenging to diagnose, the characteristic symptoms in the present case may aid in its diagnosis in future.