Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: case report and review of literature.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) is a rare condition that causes serious diagnostic and therapeutic problems. ISCM is usually discovered in less than 1% of autopsies, with fewer than 5% being diagnosed antemortem. The uncertain and non-standardized treatment of patients diagnosed with ISCM is a major concern of neurosurgeons today. Presented is a case of ISCM detected in an 80-year-old man with a history of lung carcinoma. The progression of his illness, diagnostic role of MRI, and ISCM management options are discussed.