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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 October 2016
Plasmacytomas are solitary tumours characterized by neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells and can be found isolated or in associated with multiple myeloma. Plasmacytomas uncommonly occur intracranially, and dural plasmacytomas without involvement of the calvarium are exceedingly rare. Reported cases indicate durally-based plasmacytomas mimick the appearance of meningioma, lymphoma or sarcoma of the dura. The authors report a case of a 77-year-old male with known multiple myeloma who presented with a 3-week history of confusion, speech impediment, and right sided weakness. A non-contrast CT scan revealed a dense extra-axial mass in the left frontal lobe with initial concerns of an extra-axial hemorrhage. A subsequent MRI demonstrated a contrast enhancing mass with a broad-based dural tail and no underlying calvarial lesion. Differential diagnosis included meningioma or intracranial plasmacytoma. The patient underwent surgical resection and was found to have intratumoural hemorrhage, with pathology confirming plasmacytoma. In the published literature, there are only 20 prior reports of dural plasmacytomas (with and without primary calvarial infiltration), of which only five previous cases reported associated intratumoural hemorrhage. Our case, along with this literature, suggests that new onset of focal neurologic deficits in patients with a history of multiple myeloma merits careful investigation, and that intracranial plasmacytoma should be considered on the differential diagnosis even when imaging reveals masses consistent with hemorrhage or meningioma.