Presentation of Garcin syndrome due to lung cancer

J Thorac Oncol. 2007 Sep;2(9):877-8. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e31811f473d.

Abstract

Garcin syndrome consists of unilateral palsies of almost all cranial nerves without either sensory or motor long-tract disturbances and without intracranial hypertension, and it is caused by a malignant osteoclastic lesion at the skull base. A 60-year-old woman presented with dizziness and left facial palsy. Progressive left cranial nerve palsies developed over 2 months until gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed an intracranial extension of a tumor from the left skull base. A systemic survey revealed adenocarcinoma of the lung, which had metastasized along the skull base. We experienced a rare case of Garcin syndrome due to skull base metastases from lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / etiology*
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Syndrome
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents