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Lumbosacral metastatic extradural Merkel cell carcinoma causing nerve root compression--case report
Mehmet Turgut1, Deniz Gökpinar, Sabri Barutça
1Neurosurgery Department, Adnan Menderes University Hospital, Aydin, Turkey. drmturgut@yahoo.com
Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica
|April 12, 2002
Summary
Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) can rarely affect the lumbosacral spine, mimicking disc herniation. Magnetic resonance imaging is crucial for diagnosing spinal epidural tumors, aiding in early detection and management.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer with a high propensity for metastasis.
- Spinal epidural metastasis is an uncommon presentation of MCC, often presenting with non-specific symptoms.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old male presented with symptoms suggestive of lumbar disc disease.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging identified an extradural soft tissue mass at the L5-S1 levels, consistent with metastatic MCC.
Findings:
- The patient had a rare metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma involving the lumbosacral spine, causing nerve root compression.
- Despite subtotal tumor removal and chemotherapy, the patient succumbed to widespread metastases from the primary epigastric tumor.
Implications:
- Spinal epidural metastasis from MCC can mimic common lumbar disc disease, highlighting the importance of advanced imaging.
- MR imaging provides rapid and non-invasive visualization of spinal epidural tumors and their extension, crucial for diagnosis.
- Extradural MCC metastasis in the lumbosacral region must be considered in the differential diagnosis of radicular symptoms.