Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Distant Metastasis to the Clivus Causing Symptoms Mimicking Tolosa–Hunt Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Kwo Wei David Ho; Peter A. Drew; Miguel Chuquilin
- Source
- Frontiers in Neurology, Vol 8 (2017)
- Subject
- Merkel cell carcinoma
clivus
metastasis
Tolosa–Hunt syndrome
cranial nerve palsies
cavernous sinus
Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
RC346-429
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1664-2295
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon but highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. MCC can metastasize, but involvement of the central nervous system is rare. Here, we report a case of rapidly progressing metastatic MCC to the clivus and bilateral cavernous sinus in an immunocompromised patient. This case is unique in that it is the first case report showing MCC metastasis to the clivus from a distant site. It also demonstrates that a MCC metastasis can masquerade with symptoms of Tolosa–Hunt syndrome. A literature review on MCC with CNS metastasis is presented.