Asian Spine J.  2010 Jun;4(1):48-51. 10.4184/asj.2010.4.1.48.

Primary Thoracic Epidural Melanoma : A Case Report

• Jo KW
• Kim SR
• Kim SD
• Park IS

• KMID: 2270523
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2010.4.1.48

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman with progressive paraparesis and altered sensation lasting approximately five days was admitted to our clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an advanced stage T7-8 epidural mass ventral to the spinal cord, which was believed to be a metastatic tumor considering the patient's age. A highly enhanced epidural mass and pedicle appeared during the MR scan. However, the pathologic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of a primary meningeal melanocytic tumor. Primary epidural melanomas are extremely rare lesions. This case was finally diagnosed as a primary thoracic spinal epidural melanoma.

Keyword

Central nervous system; Primary spinal melanoma; Thoracic lesion

MeSH Terms

Aged
Central Nervous System
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Melanoma
Paraparesis
Sensation
Spinal Cord