Primary spinal melanoma: a case report and literature review.
- Author:
Liang YAN
1
;
Zhen CHANG
;
Yang LIU
;
Bao-rong HE
;
Ding-jun HAO
Author Information
1. Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- MeSH:
Adult;
Female;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Melanoma;
diagnosis;
Spinal Cord Neoplasms;
diagnosis
- From:
Chinese Medical Journal
2012;125(22):4138-4141
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This case report describes a 44-year-old woman with primary spinal cord malignant melanoma localized in the lumbar region. This is a very rare lesion. The patient presented with back pain and slight weakness in her lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense signals on T1-weighted images and hypointense signals on T2-weighted images. The entire tumor was removed surgically. The patient's postoperative clinical examination revealed mild neurological improvements. Histopathological investigations confirmed the tumor was a malignant melanoma. When treating common lesions of the lumbar spinal cord with a benign appearance, surgeons should be aware of the potential for malignant tumors.
