Primary diffuse meningeal melanomatosis: radiologic-pathologic correlation

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2003 Jan;24(1):115-8.

Abstract

We report a case of primary diffuse meningeal melanomatosis, a rare variant of primary malignant melanoma of the CNS, in a 68-year-old woman. The disease mimicked intracranial hypotension syndrome and was diagnosed only at autopsy (CSF cytologic results were negative). CT revealed hydrocephalus with effacement of the cerebral convexity sulci and abnormal contrast enhancement in the right sylvian and frontoparietal fissures, whereas MR imaging showed diffuse marked dural and leptomeningeal contrast enhancement. In retrospect, these nonspecific findings correlated with the extensive leptomeningeal invasion in the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem and spinal cord. The clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of diffuse meningeal melanomatosis are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Dura Mater / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnosis
  • Hydrocephalus / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Meninges / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*