抄録
A case of ependymoma with extracranial metastasis was reported. This patient was a 28-year-old female who had had a right parietal tumor removed fifteen months prior to admission. The second operation was performed under diagnosis of recurrence of the tumor in February 1977. A few months later, she noticed a painful scalp tumor around the lower margin of the external decompression area. Repeated computerized tomographic scan revealed a recurrence of the tumor and a separate scalp tumor, for which the third operation was performed and radiation therapy was applied. Eighteen months later, she complained of cough and another scalp tumor again at the external decompression area. Chest X-ray showed multiple metastases, and bone scintigram showed abnormal uptake in Th7, 8 and L4, 5 of the spines. After February 21, 1981, she noticed gait disturbance. At that time, neurological examination revealed paraparesis and hyperalgesic and hypesthetic levels at the Th10 dermatome. The patient died of respiratory insufficiency. At autopsy the residual intracerebral tumor was white and elastic soft, attached to the right lateral ventricle, penetrating the dura and continued to the scalp tumor. Lungs were entirely replaced by metastatic tumors. Other metastases were found in the pleura, hilar, right axillar, right supraclavicular and paraaortic lymphnodes and spine (Th7, 8 and L4, 5). Histological diagnosis was ependymoma. The mode of metastases is discussed with a review of the literature.
