E163

BRAIN - Ventricular Dilatation

Description
The specimen consists of slices from the cerebrum and cerebellum. In the upper specimen there is pronounced dilatation of both lateral ventricles with thinning and fenestrationof the septum pellucidum. In the lower slice there is pronounced dilatation of the fourth ventricle.
History
This 60 year old man was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the lung and treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He represented 10 months later with bilateral papilloedema and bilateral lower limb weakness. On admission a C.T. scan showed communicating hydrocephalus. Microscopic examination of the brain showed numerous deposits of small cell carcinoma within the medulla, cerebellum and hippocampus.