Primary spinal melanoma with bilateral papilledema

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2005 Oct;107(6):525-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2004.10.013. Epub 2004 Dec 10.

Abstract

A case of primary leptomeningeal malignant melanoma localized in the cervical region in a 41-year-old woman is presented. The only clinical finding was intracranial hypertension with papilledema. A diagnosis of primary CNS melanoma was made after dermatological and ophthalmological consultations, ruled out a metastatic lesion. Primary leptomeningeal melanoma is an extremely rare spinal tumor. Its clinical presentation with signs of increased intracranial pressure but without cord symptoms is unusual. Clinical features of this case including the radiological and histologic findings are described. Diagnosis as well as management are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythrocyte Count
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Papilledema / diagnosis
  • Papilledema / etiology*
  • Papilledema / surgery
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed