We report a 62-year-old man with a pelvic mass, who developed multiple cranial nerve palsies on the right side. He was well until the summer of 1977 when he developed a numb sensation in the sacral region. In the next year, a huge tumor was found in the sacral area in another hospital. Most of the tumor was resected at that time. Post-operative course was uneventful. In July 1988, there was an onset of weakness in his legs, gait disturbance, and dysuria. Myelography at the above hospital revealed a complete block at the seventh thoracic level. He was treated by laminectomy and post-operative radiation. In June 1990, he developed a neuralgic pan in his right leg. Two months later, he noted diplopia, deafness in his right ear, and swallowing difficulty. He was admitted to our hospital for further work up on January 14th of 1991. On admission, he was afebrile. General physical examination revealed a 4 cm had mass in his right anterior chest attaching the rib. Gynecomastia was noted bilaterally. Liver was felt by 5 cms under the right hypochondrium. The edge of the liver was firm. On neurologic examination he was an alert and mentally sound man. His higher cerebral functions were intact. In the cranial nerves, complete palsy of the abducens nerve, mild nerve deafness, paresis of the soft palate, atrophy and weakness of the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezium muscles, all on the right side, deviation of the tongue to the right, slurred speech, and dysphagia were observed. The neck was supple. He was able to walk with a support. Mild weakness was present in his right lower extremity. Both legs were spastic. No ataxia or involuntary movements were noted. Deep reflexes were symmetric and normally active. No sensory loss was observed. No meningeal signs were present. Pertinent laboratory findings included moderate anemia (Hb 8.8 g/dl), LDH 2,631 U/l, CRP 7.4 mg/dl. The CSF was under an increased pressure (OP 260 mmH2O) containing 2 lymphocytes/ml, 43 mg/dl of protein, and 49 mg/dl of glucose. Radiologic examinations revealed a destructive change in the sacrum, lytic lesions in the seventh thoracic spine and in the clivus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)