Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from parotid gland carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma: a case report

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) is an infrequent lesion of systemic malignant tumors, and the most common primary sources of ISCM are lung and breast cancers, as well as melanoma and lymphoma. Patients with ISCM usually accompany with rapidly progressive neurological compromise and the prognosis of ISCM is poor. We present a case of a 40-year-old male with a history of parotid gland carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) who had undergone surgical excision and chemotherapy presented with progressive paralysis and hypotonia of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed two intramedullary metastases at the C5 and T6 level, respectively. The patient underwent surgical resection after intramedullary spinal cord metastasis was diagnosed and survived 8 months without any systemic progression and with partially neurological improvement following surgery. The aim of this study was to present the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of a patient with ISCM resulting from parotid gland CXPA. The present case highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and surgery when ISCM is suspected. Clinicians should choose the optimum management considering the patient’s individual condition when ISCM is suspected.