Intracranial Metastasis of Carcinoma ex Pleomorphic Adenoma by Contiguity Through the Facial Nerve. Case report and literature review

The central nervous system (CNS) is a common site of metastasis for a number of malignant tumors. Lung, breast, skin (melanoma), kidney and colorectal neoplasms form the most common group of primary sites that send distant metastases to the CNS, always via the hematogenous route. Delayed diagnosis, tumor aggressiveness, and failed primary treatment contribute to this evolution of secondary brain involvement. CNS metastases of salivary gland neoplasms are rare, with few cases reported in the literature. In the case here presented, a young male patient presents a peculiar situation of a carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma that developed metastasis to the brain by contiguity through the facial nerve. The outcome, as expected, was poor and the patient died.