The presentation of small-cell lung cancer with metastatic carcinomatous encephalitis in a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient

Background. Carcinomatous encephalitis or milary cerebral metastases characterized by signs of diffuse encephalopathy is a rare form of brain metastases. Tiny tumor nodules are seen throughout the cortical and subcortical gray matter. Observation. We report the case of a patient with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma who developed carcinomatous encephalitis probably secondary to small-cell lung cancer. This case is discussed in light of findings of 16 cases of carcinomatous encephalitis reported in the literature. We discuss clinical, radiological, histological, pathophysiological characteristics and the survival of this form. Conclusion. The frequency of carcinomatous encephalitis is underestimated because clinical expression is non specific. Brain magnetic resonance imaging must be performed in all patients presenting encephalopathy without an obvious cause.