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Lung cancer: atypical brain metastases mimicking neurocysticercosis

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Abstract

The authors describe a case of a 47-year-old male smoker with a 3-month history of hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. Physical examination revealed neurosensory hearing loss. Small rounded hypodensities without mass effect were evident in a computed tomography scan of the head, confirmed by brain magnetic resonance imaging as multiple cystic lesions in both cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, without perilesional edema or gadolinium enhancement, suggestive of neurocysticercosis. Extraparenchymal involvement was also noted. Albendazole and dexamethasone were started. As a chest radiograph showed a bilateral reticulonodular pattern, a bronchoscopy was performed showing normal results. However, transbronchial biopsy revealed lung adenocarcinoma. Thoracoabdominopelvic computed tomography scan showed secondary lung and bone lesions. Since brain lesions were not suggestive of secondary tumor lesions, a brain biopsy was performed confirming metastatic disease. This case illustrates some peculiar imagiological features of brain metastases in lung cancer, indicating that sometimes invasive procedures are required to establish a definitive diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pulmonology, Hospital de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Patrícia Caetano Mota, Nuno Filipe Pires & Isabel Gomes

  2. Department of Neuroradiology, Hospital de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Carina Reis

  3. Department of Neurology, Hospital de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Graça Sousa

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Clara Chamadoira

  5. Department of Pathology, Hospital de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Marcos Guimarães & Lígia Castro

  6. Department of Radiotherapy, Hospital de São João, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Margarida Marques

Authors
  1. Patrícia Caetano Mota
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  2. Carina Reis
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  3. Nuno Filipe Pires
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  4. Graça Sousa
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  5. Clara Chamadoira
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  6. Marcos Guimarães
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  7. Lígia Castro
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  8. Margarida Marques
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  9. Isabel Gomes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrícia Caetano Mota.

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Mota, P.C., Reis, C., Pires, N.F. et al. Lung cancer: atypical brain metastases mimicking neurocysticercosis. Int J Clin Oncol 16, 746–750 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-011-0221-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-011-0221-7

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