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Summary
Occult lung cancer can manifest as hemiballism, a rare movement disorder. This case highlights the importance of considering metastatic cancer in elderly patients presenting with unexplained neurological symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Occult lung adenocarcinoma is a malignancy that is not readily detected through standard screening methods.
- Hemiballism is an involuntary hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by violent, random limb movements.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old male presented with new-onset right-sided hemiballism.
- Computed Tomography (CT) revealed two contrast-enhancing lesions in the left subthalamic and parietal regions of the brain.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with metastatic occult adenocarcinoma of the lung.
- Autopsy confirmed metastatic tumor, establishing the lung as the primary source.
Implications:
- This case underscores the necessity of a comprehensive diagnostic approach in elderly patients with hemiballism.
- Metastatic lung cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained neurological deficits, even in the absence of primary tumor detection.
- Early recognition and diagnosis of metastatic cancer can potentially lead to improved patient outcomes.