BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal myelomatosis is a rare complication of multiple myeloma. METHODS: The authors identified and studied three patients with leptomeningeal myelomatosis and reviewed previous case reports of this condition. RESULTS: The patients described here had intermittent abnormalities in mental status or cranial nerve and brain stem abnormalities. Two of the patients responded dramatically, though transiently, to treatment. In one patient, the clinical findings correlated with lesions visualized by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: These patients are typical of those reported previously. Patients with leptomeningeal myelomatosis often have a good response to treatment initially, but long-term survival is rare.
BACKGROUND:Leptomeningeal myelomatosis is a rare complication of multiple myeloma. METHODS: The authors identified and studied three patients with leptomeningeal myelomatosis and reviewed previous case reports of this condition. RESULTS: The patients described here had intermittent abnormalities in mental status or cranial nerve and brain stem abnormalities. Two of the patients responded dramatically, though transiently, to treatment. In one patient, the clinical findings correlated with lesions visualized by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: These patients are typical of those reported previously. Patients with leptomeningeal myelomatosis often have a good response to treatment initially, but long-term survival is rare.