How is leptomeningeal metastases diagnosed?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine, with and without contrast, is the gold standard in diagnosing leptomeningeal disease. Sometimes the disease occurs only in the spine and not the brain, and therefore a scan of the full spine and brain is recommended.
Can brain metastases be seen on CT scan?
Routine cranial CT is useful in the staging of cancer in the patient with non–small-cell lung cancer; cranial CT has a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 99%, and an accuracy of 98% in detecting brain metastases. Contrast-enhanced CT is perhaps the best method to identify calvarial metastases.
Which is the best description of leptomeningeal metastases?
Leptomeningeal metastases. Leptomeningeal metastases, also know as carcinomatous meningitis, refers to the spread of malignant cells through the CSF space. These cells can originate from primary CNS tumors (e.g. drop metastases ), as well as from distant tumors that have metastasized via haematogenous spread. This article has a focus on…
How are leptomeningeal tumors spread through the CSF?
Leptomeningeal metastases, also know as carcinomatous meningitis, refers to the spread of malignant cells through the CSF space. These cells can originate from primary CNS tumors (e.g. drop metastases), as well as from distant tumors that have metastasised via haematogenous spread. This article has a focus on subarachnoid space involvement.
How can you tell if you have leptomeningeal cancer?
Cancer cells in the covering of the brain can cause a range of symptoms, including: It can be difficult to diagnose leptomeningeal metastases. It might show up on an MRI scan, or cancer cells might be found in fluid taken from the spine by a lumbar puncture.
What’s the treatment for leptomeningeal cancer in meninges?
The aim of treatment for leptomeningeal metastases is to control the growth of the cancer and relieve symptoms. Treatment might be able to control the cancer cells in the meninges for some months, or possibly more than a year with the newer targeted cancer drugs for certain cancers.