Gadobutrol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of meningeal carcinomatosis: case report with emphasis on early diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis is often difficult even with the assistant of magnetic resonance imaging examination, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, or both. To the best of our knowledge, gadobutrol-enhanced MRI has not been reported in the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis. Here we present two cases where meningeal carcinomatosis was identified on gadobutrol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. CASE PRESENTATION: We identified two cases of meningeal carcinomatosis who had been diagnosed with malignant tumors several years ago. Both patients presented with progressive headache and seizures. Gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed and did not detect any abnormality of meninges. Lumbar puncture was performed repeatedly, but cerebrospinal fluid cytology showed no evidence of malignant cells. Finally the gadobutrol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging detected the meningeal metastasis, and supported the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis. CONCLUSION: Gadobutrol provides higher lesion conspicuity and enhances lesion detection in meningeal metastasis compared with gadopentetate dimeglumine. Our observation is a cue to analyze the accuracy in the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis, and presents a choice that may facilitate early diagnosis.