Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Neoplastic meningitis physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Common physical examination findings of neoplastic meningitis include altered mental status, dementia, hemiparesis, ptosis, nuchal rigidity, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and papilledema.[1]
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Common physical examination findings of neoplastic meningitis include:[1]
Signs due to cerebral hemisphere dysfunction
Signs due to cranial nerve dysfunction
- Cranial nerve II
- Cranial nerve III
- Ptosis
- Fixed dilated pupil
- “Down and out” deviation of the affected eye
- Cranial nerve IV
- Cranial nerve VI
- Cranial nerve V
- Facial hypesthesia or anesthesia
- Weakness of clenching and side-to-side movement of the jaw
- Cranial nerve VIII
Signs due to spinal cord and roots dysfunction
- Limb weakness (lower extremities > upper extremities)
- Sensory loss in the neck and back, following a radicular pattern
- Nuchal rigidity
- Bowel and bladder dysfunction
Signs due to elevated intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]