Unusual manifestations of multiple cranial nerve palsies and mandibular metastasis in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the lip.

Abstract

A 70-year-old man who had squamous cell carcinoma of the lip later presented with right mental neuropathy, ipsilateral progressive involvement of all three divisions of the 5th, the 7th and 8th cranial nerves, and complete ophthalmoplegia. Biopsy proven metastasis to the mandible was demonstrated. Although repeated studies of CT scan of the head and cerebral angiography were negative, CSF examination revealed positive cytology, elevated protein and low sugar content. Although vascular dissemination from the primary lip lesion to the mandible and brain stem cannot be ruled out, extension through perineurial space via the 5th cranial nerve have been speculated. This case demonstrates two unusual features of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, namely metastasis to the mandible and meningeal spread with multiple cranial neuropathies.