Intramedullary spinal cord metastases from non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) associated with carcinomatous meningitis: a case report

Background: Carcinomatous meningitis with metastases to the spinal cord [intramedullary spinal cord (IMSC)] is very rare, and a quick intervention to management of these patients is important in preventing neurological deterioration. Methods: We report a case of IMSC metastases from a stage IV non-small cell lung carcinoma in a 57-year-old man who presented with Brown-Sequard syndrome along with multiple brain metastases with associated carcinomatous meningitis and managed with urgent palliative external beam radiation therapy. Conclusion: A quick, short course of palliative radiation therapy for inoperable patients with IMSC metastases provides improvement in neurological function in the management of these oncologic emergencies in patients with short survival times.