Nerve.  2021 Apr;7(1):1-6. 10.21129/nerve.2021.7.1.1.

Primary Intramedullary Meningeal Melanocytoma in Cervical Spine: A Case Report and Literature Review

• Kim K
• Choi J
• Cha YJ
• Kim KH
• Cho YE

• KMID: 2543202
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21129/nerve.2021.7.1.1

Abstract

Primary intramedullary meningeal melanocytoma is an extremely rare tumor that occurs in the spinal cord. To our knowledge, 29 cases have been reported. We report a case of intramedullary meningeal melanocytoma with a narrative literature review: a 78-year-old man with the chief complaint of right-side weakness over the course of six months. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural intramedullary tumor between C3 and C5 levels that showed hypo-intensity on T2 and mild homogenous hyper-intensity on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Myelotomy was performed for tumor removal, and a black-pigmented tumor was observed under a surgical microscope. Histopathological examination confirmed intramedullary meningeal melanocytoma. Since radiologic findings are insufficient to diagnose primary intramedullary meningeal melanocytoma, histopathological examination must be performed for diagnosis. Complete tumor resection is the most important prognosis, and adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered to prevent malignant transformation and recurrence.

Keyword

Central nervous system neoplasms; Cervical vertebrae; Melanoma; Meningeal neoplasms; Spinal cord neoplasms