Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:14
Minimally Invasive Cisterna Magna Injection Model for Leptomeningeal Metastasis Studies in Mice
Published on: May 23, 2025
Leptomeningeal metastasis mimicking temporal arteritis
Elgaili M Mohamed1, Amer S Al-Din
1Department of Neurology, Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
|February 5, 2013
Summary
A rare case of breast cancer leptomeningeal metastasis presented as headache, vision loss, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mimicking temporal arteritis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a serious complication of cancer.
- Symptoms can be diverse and mimic other neurological conditions.
- Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory condition causing similar symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of breast cancer LM mimicking temporal arteritis.
- To highlight the importance of considering malignancy in elderly patients with new-onset neurological symptoms and elevated inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with recent onset headache, sudden mono-ocular blindness, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- Diagnostic workup included imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
- Histopathological confirmation of leptomeningeal metastasis.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms mimicking temporal arteritis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed malignant cells.
- Diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis from an undiagnosed breast carcinoma was confirmed.
Conclusions:
- Leptomeningeal metastasis from breast cancer can present atypically, mimicking other conditions like temporal arteritis.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- A high index of suspicion for malignancy is warranted in patients with unexplained neurological deficits and elevated inflammatory markers.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology
Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...