Leptomeningeal Myelomatosis Manifesting as Isolated Aphasia

Park, Sejin; Seo, Jong-Geun

doi:2026.44.2.159

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 44(2); 2026 > Article

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2026;44(2): 159-162. doi: https://doi.org/10.17340/jkna.2026.0011

전실어증으로만 발현된 연수막골수종증

박세진¹, 서종근^1,2

¹경북대학교병원 신경과
²경북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Leptomeningeal Myelomatosis Manifesting as Isolated Aphasia

Sejin Park MD¹, Jong-Geun Seo MD, PhD^1,2

¹Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
²Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea

Corresponding Author: Jong-Geun Seo ,Tel: +82-53-420-5765, Fax: +82-53-422-4265, Email: jonggeun.seo@gmail.com

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Received: February 7, 2026 Revised: March 12, 2026 Accepted: March 18, 2026 Published online: May 1, 2026

Abstract

Leptomeningeal myelomatosis represents an uncommon but clinically consequential form of extramedullary disease. Because its manifestations frequently overlap with vascular and infectious conditions, timely recognition is challenging. In particular, isolated speech disturbance without accompanying motor deficits can be misattributed to acute ischemic stroke or focal seizures, potentially delaying appropriate therapy. Here, we report a case of 81-year-old female patients presenting with global aphasia. In this case, brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid study including cytology demonstrated leptomeningeal involvement by multiple myeloma.

Key Words: Leptomeningeal | Multiple myeloma | Aphasia