Metastatic renal cell carcinoma initially presented with an intramedullary spinal cord lesion: a case report

• Published in: Cases journal Vol. 2; p. 7805
• Main Authors: Asadi, Mehrnaz, Rokni-Yazdi, Hadi, Salehinia, Farahnaz, Allameh, Farshad S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cases Network Ltd 11-09-2009
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Renal cell; Care and treatment; Case report; Case studies; Central nervous system diseases; Development and progression; Diagnosis; Risk factors; Iran
• ISSN: 1757-1626; 1757-1626
• DOI: 10.4076/1757-1626-2-7805

Introduction One of the rare manifestations of systemic neoplasia is intramedullary spinal cord metastasis that causes serious diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. It has been very rarely reported as the initial manifestation of carcinoma. This is report of a metastatic renal cell carcinoma initially presented with intramedullary spinal cord lesion, to our knowledge there are few similar reports in literature. Case presentation We report a 51-year-old Iranian woman who presented with back pain and paraparesis. MR imaging study of her spine showed an enhancing cystic lesion at the level of conus medullaris. Despite detailed investigation, no specific aetiology was found till a bone scan obtained to evaluate an agonizing pain on the dorsum of the left hand revealed photon deficient area within the left kidney in addition to oseoblastic bony lesions. After thorough imaging investigation she underwent radical nephrectomy which confirmed renal cell carcinoma. Conclusion Considering the prevalence of cancer, it is imperative that clinicians be mindful of occult carcinoma as the cause of suspicious intramedullary spinal cord lesion.