Download PDF
Skull Base 2009; 19(5): 359-362
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220202
CASE REPORT

© Thieme Medical Publishers

Giant Intracranial Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastasis Presenting as Apoplexy

Matthew Bobinski1 , Claudia M. Greco2 , Rudolph J. Schrot3
  • 1Department of Radiology, University of California–Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
  • 2Department of Pathology, University of California–Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
  • 3Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California–Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 April 2009 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

We present a case of a giant sellar and suprasellar skull base-invasive metastasis from a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Radiographic features were similar to atypical/malignant meningioma or pituitary macroadenoma. Intracranial metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma are very rare. Unusual features of our case are discussed.

KEYWORDS

Medullary thyroid carcinoma - metastasis - sella turcica - skull base

REFERENCES

  • 1 Girelli M E, Nacamulli D, Pelizzo M R et al.. Medullary thyroid carcinoma: clinical features and long-term follow-up of seventy-eight patients treated between 1969 and 1986.  Thyroid. 1998;  8 517-523
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Chiu A C, Delpassand E S, Sherman S I. Prognosis and treatment of brain metastases in thyroid carcinoma.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997;  82 3637-3642
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Venkatesh S, Leavens M E, Samaan N A. Brain metastases in patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma: study of 11 cases.  Eur J Surg Oncol. 1990;  16 448-450
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Bhatoe H S, Badwal S, Dutta V, Kannan N. Pituitary metastasis from medullary carcinoma of thyroid: case report and review of literature.  J Neurooncol. 2008;  89 63-67
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Timothy J, Kerawala C, Brazil L, Bartlett J, Doshi B. Medullary cell carcinoma of the thyroid: metastases to the central nervous system.  Eur J Surg Oncol. 1995;  21 329-330
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Pitale S U, Melian E, Thomas C, Moley J F, Origitano T, Sizemore G W. Brain metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.  Thyroid. 1999;  9 1123-1125
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Salvati M, Frati A, Rocchi G et al.. Single brain metastasis from thyroid cancer: report of twelve cases and review of the literature.  J Neurooncol. 2001;  51 33-40
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 McWilliams R R, Giannini C, Hay I D, Atkinson J L, Stafford S L, Buckner J C. Management of brain metastases from thyroid carcinoma: a study of 16 pathologically confirmed cases over 25 years.  Cancer. 2003;  98 356-362
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Mikami T, Niwa J, Kubota T, Chiba M. Solitary brain metastasis from medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.  No Shinkei Geka. 2003;  31 905-909
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Kabir S M, Zafar M S, Brydon H L. Intracranial metastasis from medullary carcinoma of the thyroid 25 years after primary surgery.  Br J Neurosurg. 2006;  20 169-172
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Orlandi F, Caraci P, Mussa A, Saggiorato E, Pancani G, Angeli A. Treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma: an update.  Endocr Relat Cancer. 2001;  8 135-147
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Matthew BobinskiM.D. Ph.D. 

Department of Radiology, University of California–Davis Medical Center

4860 Y Street, Suite 3100, Sacramento CA 95817

Email: matthew.bobinski@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu