Multiple cystic brain metastases from adenocarcinoma mimicking cysticercosis. Case report

Atypical radiological presentation of multiple cystic brain metastases from lung cancer simulating neurocysticercosis

Brain metastases (BMs) are usually characterised by vasogenic oedema and mass effect, but cystic appearance can rarely occur, mimicking parasitosis, such as neurocysticercosis (NCC). A woman in her mid-50s was admitted for dizziness and upper left extremity paresis. Neuroimaging showed multiple cystic lesions consistent with multiple stages of NCC evolution, and empiric albendazole was started, without any clinical improvement. A whole-body CT revealed a pulmonary lesion in the right superior lobe. Pathological analysis from brain specimen demonstrated a clear cell lung carcinoma. The patient gradually worsened and died 4 months after the diagnosis. In conclusion, multiple cystic BMs are an atypical presentation on neuroimaging; in these cases, a meticulous diagnostic workup should be performed, looking for the possible site of malignancy. Even when it is not possible to perform a biopsy from the primitive lesion, as reported in this case, a brain biopsy should be considered.

Awake surgery for isolated parenchymal degenerating neurocysticercosis - Case report and focused review of misdiagnosis of neurocysticercosis

Differential diagnosis of isolated single neurocysticercosis can be difficult, and management is controversial. We report here an original surgical strategy, and review previous studies reporting misdiagnosis, using the PRISMA guidelines. A 24-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for recent memory impairment, hypoesthesia of the right hand, and recurrent focal seizures without loss of consciousness. Brain MRI revealed a single ring-enhancing parenchymal lesion in the left superior postcentral gyrus, with large perilesional edema. Since exhaustive systemic exploration was negative, surgical resection of the lesion was decided on in a multidisciplinary team meeting. To preserve eloquent brain areas, surgery was performed in awake condition. It allowed complete resolution of clinical manifestations. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was confirmed on pathology. This case illustrates the utility of awake surgery in degenerating neurocysticercosis in functional areas, and emphasizes the importance of including it in differential diagnosis of cystic ring-enhancing brain lesions.

Brain metastases from adenocarcinoma of the lung with truly cystic magnetic resonance imaging appearance

Metastatic disease represents over half of all malignancies in brain parenchyma, and carcinoma when metastatic will often spread to the brain, with lung and breast tumors being the most common culprits. The suggestive features of metastatic disease on magnetic resonance imaging include peritumoral, vasogenic edema and avid postcontrast enhancement. We present the case of a 50-year-old male with an established diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung treated with erlotinib who developed multiple cystic brain lesions on surveillance MRI. These cysts demonstrated T2 prolongation, suppressed completely on FLAIR, lacked surrounding edema, and featured a complete lack of enhancement. Due to the ambiguous imaging findings, brain biopsy was performed to establish the diagnosis. The pathology revealed a single layer of malignant cells lining brain parenchyma and focal areas of glandular growth. The intracranial lesions responded well to total brain radiation. This case is unique for the imaging findings most characteristic of simple cysts in biopsy-proven metastatic disease and may relate to the effects of erlotinib on metastatic brain tumors.

Cystic brain metastases in ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer

The central nervous system (CNS) is a common site of disease progression in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearrangement treated with crizotinib. Cystic brain metastases (CBM) have been recently identified as one possible variant of this disease. An illustrative case report is presented along with a literature review performed in order to track relevant papers about CBM in ALK-rearranged NSCLC, including possible pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and treatment options for this condition. Three case reports have been published describing six ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients presenting with CBM, all of which were under treatment with crizotinib by the time of CBM diagnosis. Treatment with CNS-penetrating tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) resulted in CNS disease control in three of the six cases reported either as single therapy or in combination with radiation therapy (RT). Investigation of differential diagnoses of CBM might be necessary, which include inflammatory and demyelinating disorders, primary brain tumours and infectious diseases, especially neurocysticercosis that might mimic CBM images. Treatment options include RT, CNS-penetrating TKIs and invasive procedures, such as stereotactic drainage. Thus, CBM are associated with ALK-rearranged NSCLC, particularly in patients who use crizotinib and should prompt investigation of differential diagnosis. CNS-penetrating TKIs are effective in the control of solid brain metastases and also seem to be active in CBM as single therapy or in combination with RT.

Adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting with atypical cystic brain lesions

Brain metastases occur in up to 10-30% of patients with cancer. Metastatic lesions are usually diagnosed as multiple mass lesions at the junction of the grey and white matter with associated perilesional vasogenic oedema. Cysticercosis is an endemic disease in underdeveloped countries of Africa, Central and South America and is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. The classical radiological finding of neurocysticercosis is cystic lesions showing the scolex in the brain parenchyma. We report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting with cystic brain lesions mimicking neurocysticercosis.

Multiple cystic brain metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma mimicking neurocysticercosis

The papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland is the most common type of tumor of the thyroid gland with good prognosis and low incidence of distant metastasis. The brain metastases of thyroid gland carcinoma are extremely rare. We report a patient with multiple cystic brain lesions and satisfying criteria for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Brain biopsy revealed brain metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma. The tumor originated from mediastinal thyroid tissue. Even in cases when neuroimaging suggests neurocysticercosis with great accuracy, it is important to exclude metastasis. Extensive brain metastases of primary papillary thyroid carcinoma are extremely rare.