Craniovertebral junction melanocytoma: a case report

Turk Neurosurg. 2013;23(4):539-42. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.5272-11.0.

Abstract

Melanocytomas are rare melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system and its presence at the foramen magnum is extremely rare. We report a case of a 55-year-old male presenting with progressive quadriparesis over one year. Imaging showed a well-defined intradural extramedullary lobulated mass at craniovertebral junction towards the left side and extending to left C2-3 neural foramina. Patient was operated through foramen magnum approach with near total excision of tumor. On a ten-month follow up, he was ambulatory with normal motor power on right side of body and left lower limb and with motor power of 4-/5 in left upper limb. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the lesion to be a melanocytoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Foramen Magnum / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypesthesia / etiology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Quadriplegia / etiology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome