A diagnostic conundrum

Pract Neurol. 2018 Apr;18(2):137-142. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2017-001801. Epub 2018 Jan 23.

Abstract

We present a 26 year old male with a 6 year history of painful sensory symptoms, weakness and wasting in the legs alongside progressive facial weakness, slurred speech, dysphagia and ophthalmoplegia. There were no neurological symptoms or signs in the upper limbs. Previous medical history included traumatic corneal injury to the left eye in childhood and a cisterna magna choroid plexus papilloma which was removed surgically at age 22.

Investigations localised the pathology to the cranial nerve and pre-ganglionic lumbar nerve roots. A dural meningeal biopsy demonstrated grade 1 choroid plexus papilloma, 4 years after presumed curative excision of the original lesion. This presentation with multifocal peripheral nervous system deficits is due to choroid plexus papilloma drop metastases. We summarise the case and discuss the significance of the neurophysiology and imaging findings contributing to diagnosis.

Keywords: neurooncology; neurophysiology; peripheral neuropathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nerve Fibers / pathology
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Papilloma, Choroid Plexus / diagnosis*
  • Papilloma, Choroid Plexus / pathology
  • Papilloma, Choroid Plexus / physiopathology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / pathology