Melanoma primario leptomeníngeo extramedular

Abstract

Central nervous system melanomas are rare, constituting about 1% of all melanomas and 0.07% of all brain tumors. A 49-year- old patient with a history of spinal cord trauma and resection of recurrent epithelial schwannoma, who was admitted to the emergency department due to a decreased muscle strength and paresthesias in the upper limbs. The computed tomography of the cervical spine revealed a space-occupying lesion with lytic changes in the left paramedial region in vertebral bodies of C2 and C3. In view of the findings, a tumor recurrence was suspected; however, the histopathological report showed a malignant tumor compatible with melanoma. Magnetic resonance imaging should consider this diagnostic possibility in T1 hyperintense lesions characteristic of pigmentary tumors. The treatment of choice for melanomas is complete surgical resection, if necessary it may be accompanied by chemotherapy or post-operative radiotherapy.