Central nervous system involvement in multiple myeloma – case report and review of the literature

Abstract

In multiple myeloma extramedullary involvement occurs in 13% of patients. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is extremely rare and comprises 1% of cases. Review of literature shows only limited data on this subject and consists mostly of few case reports. Scarce knowledge about CNS involvement in the course of multiple myeloma makes its diagnosis and treatment very difficult and challenging. The authors describe a clinical case which illustrates the problem from a clinician point of view. Furthermore, we analyzed the available data from literature and summarized the current state of knowledge on diagnosis, potential prognostic factors, treatment and prognosis in CNS myeloma involvement.