clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
Onset of symptoms from metastatic intracranial carcinoma are rapid. Clinical features are those of any intracranial tumour:
- mass effects - raised ICP
- focal effects - often multiple; epilepsy is relatively common
Cerebellar metastases account for one quarter of the intracranial metastases; they are the second most common space-occupying lesion in the cerebellum in adults. Presentation is of ataxia and rapid development of raised ICP due to ventricular outflow obstruction.
Chronic meningitis with consequent headache, raised ICP and multiple cranial nerve palsies arise form infiltration into the meninges. There may be loss of reflexes due to spinal meningeal involvement.