Meningeal involvement in Bence Jones multiple myeloma

Cancer. 1991 Apr 1;67(7):1900-2. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19910401)67:7<1900::aid-cncr2820670714>3.0.co;2-a.

Abstract

A case of Bence Jones kappa multiple myeloma with meningeal involvement in a 64-year-old woman is presented. Three years after the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, gait disturbances developed followed by visual disorders and impaired consciousness. A lumbar puncture revealed numerous atypical plasma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. Craniospinal irradiation and intrathecal injections of methotrexate, cytarabine, and prednisolone were effective for a short period. At autopsy, the leptomeninges were infiltrated diffusely with atypical plasma cells. A review of the literature showed that multiple myeloma with meningeal involvement is accompanied frequently by circulating atypical plasma cells or plasma cell leukemia. Meningeal involvement is a rare complication and shows poor prognosis in cases of multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Myeloma / complications*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology