[Meningeal metastases of ovarian cancer. Contribution of imaging]

Presse Med. 2000 Mar 25;29(11):593-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Background: Secondary meningeal localizations are uncommon and may disclose reactivation of a malignant disease. Most meningeal metastases occur in breast cancer, exceptionally in primary ovarian cancer.

Case report: We report 2 cases of secondary meningeal localizations of ovarian cancer. The diagnosis was clinical, supported by cerebrospinal fluid analysis and computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Discussion: Establishing the diagnosis of carcinomatous meningitis may be difficult. Clinical signs and biological data are not always conclusive. If spinal tap is contraindicated or negative, imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging is highly contributive in establishing the diagnosis of secondary localization. A precise evaluation of the invaded tissues is quite helpful in guiding therapeutic management based on chemotherapy, tumor resection or radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / diagnosis*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / secondary*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prognosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*