Unusual manifestation of multiple myeloma: focal affection of central nervous system in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2009 Dec;153(4):271-3. doi: 10.5507/bp.2009.045.

Abstract

Introduction: Involvement of the central nervous system as the first manifestation of multiple myeloma is very rare.

Aim: To present an unusual case of the primomanifestation of a multiple myeloma in the form of a focal affection of the central nervous system in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Methods and results: A female patient diagnosed with chronic B-lymphocytic leukaemia with gradually increasing right-sided cerebellar symptomatology. The CT examination revealed expansion of the cranial vault with significant compression of brain structures. The tumour was extirpated and the histological examination led to a diagnosis of a plasmocytic myeloma. A thorough examination confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma with significant osteolytic involvement of the skeleton. A combined chemo- and radiotherapy resulted in adjustment in the focal neurological finding, and a partial remission of the multiple myeloma was achieved.

Conclusion: The above presented case describes two very unusual states: the primomanifestation of a multiple myeloma in form of a focal affection of the central nervous system, and the coincidence of a multiple myeloma as the second haematological malignancy in a patient with chronic B-lymphocytic leukaemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed