Recurrent metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as consecutive "mirror image" intracerebral haematomas

A 34-year old man with a past history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complained of headache and visual disturbance. Neuroimaging revealed a right occipital haematoma with rim enhancement and at operation, a metastasis from the primary malignancy was found. Five months after surgery and subsequent adjuvant therapy, he presented with blindness. On neuroimaging, a left occipital haematoma was seen. The patient refused surgical intervention. HCC usually has an aggressive clinical course; therefore, recurrent cerebral metastasis is an uncommon clinical problem. "Mirror-image" metastasis, with bleeding in both hemispheres, is rare and has not been reported. We suggest that these metastases occur due to microscopic seeding via an arterial route, and that spread via a venous route, such as occurs through Batson's plexus, is unlikely.