J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Aug;48(2):157-161. 10.3340/jkns.2010.48.2.157.

Primary Spinal Cord Melanoma

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, CHA University, Pocheon, Korea. cistern@cha.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Primary central nervous system (CNS) melanoma is a rare condition that accounts for only 1% of all melanomas. A 34-year-old Korean female presented with a two-month history of progressive weakness in both legs. Spinal magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a spinal cord tumor at the level of T4, which was hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging and hypointense on T2-weighted imaging. The intradural and extramedullary tumor was completely resected and diagnosed as melanoma. There were no metastatic lesions. At three years after surgery, the patient is still alive, with no evidence of tumor recurrence. We present the details of this case along with a comprehensive review of spinal cord melanoma.

Keyword

Melanoma; Spinal neoplasm; Surgical treatment; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Central Nervous System
Female
Humans
Leg
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Melanoma
Prognosis
Recurrence
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Neoplasms
Spinal Neoplasms
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