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Case Reports
. 2021 Jan 21;4(2):108-111.
doi: 10.1002/iju5.12255. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Cranial nerve palsy caused by metastasis to the skull base in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer: Three case reports

Yota Yasumizu  1 , Takeo Kosaka  1 , Hiroshi Hongo  1 , Ryuichi Mizuno  1 , Mototsugu Oya  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cranial nerve palsy caused by metastasis to the skull base in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer: Three case reports

Yota Yasumizu et al. IJU Case Rep. .

Abstract

Introduction: Skull base metastasis of prostate cancer associated with cranial nerve palsy is rare. We observed three patients with aggressive prostate cancer who experienced cranial nerve palsy.

Case presentation: Case 1 was a 53-year-old patient who was treated with carboplatin and etoposide. He noticed sensory abnormalities on his left mouth edge. Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed skull base metastasis. Case 2 was a 50-year-old patient who received docetaxel. This patient exhibited ptosis of the left eye. Skull base metastasis was detected by magnetic resonance imaging. External beam radiation therapy was performed. Case 3 was a 64-year-old patient who was treated with docetaxel. He experienced ptosis of the right eye and diplopia. He was also treated with external beam radiation therapy.

Conclusion: External beam radiation therapy exhibited some efficacy against the symptoms, but skull base metastasis of treatment-resistant prostate cancer has poor prognosis. Three patients died within 3 months after symptoms occurred with or without external beam radiation therapy.

Keywords: case report; cranial nerve palsy; external beam radiotherapy; prostate cancer; skull base metastasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(a) MRI (T1WI) shows diffuse bone metastasis at the skull base. Dura mater is thickened nonuniformly. Dura mater invasion is suspected. (b) MRI (T1WI with gadolinium) shows irregular contrast effects at the skull base.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
MRI (T1WI) shows multiple bone metastasis at skull base. Geniculate ganglion of facial nerve is enhanced by contrast agent.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
MRI (T1WI with gadolinium) shows increasing contrast effects at the base of the skull.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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