A CASE OF MENINGEAL CARCINOMATOSIS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE SENSORINEURAL HEALING LOSS AS THE INITIAL SYMPTOM

Abstract

　Meningeal carcinomatosis is characterized by multifocal spread of tumor cells in the leptomeninges from distant solid tumors. It is a relatively rare form of intracranial metastasis.
　It is easy to suspect meningeal carcinomatosis when a variety of neurological symptoms appear in patient with a known malignancy. The prognosis is very poor and often results in death after the onset of neurologic symptoms, usually in 1～2 months.
　We encountered a case of meningeal carcinomatosis presenting with sensorineural hearing loss as the initial symptom. Further examinations revealed gastric cancer and tumor metastasis to the meninges.
　We considered it important to report our experience in order to emphasize the need to include meningeal carcinomatosis in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and refractory facial paralysis.