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Triphasic waves in cerebral carcinomatosis. Another nonmetabolic cause
Archives of Neurology
|November 1, 1986
Summary
A rare case of metastatic cancer caused brain changes (encephalopathy) with specific EEG patterns (triphasic waves). This finding expands the known causes of these neurological symptoms beyond metabolic issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Triphasic waves on electroencephalogram (EEG) are typically associated with metabolic encephalopathies.
- These EEG patterns are also observed in dementing processes, subdural hematomas, and cerebrovascular disease.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old woman presented with diffuse encephalopathy and generalized triphasic waves on EEG.
- She had metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown origin without metabolic abnormalities.
Findings:
- Postmortem examination revealed widespread, multifocal perivascular carcinomatosis of the cerebral cortices.
- This case identifies metastatic cancer as a nonmetabolic cause of triphasic waves.
Implications:
- This case broadens the differential diagnosis for triphasic waves on EEG.
- It highlights the importance of considering oncological processes in unexplained encephalopathy with specific EEG findings.