Spinal melanocytoma (SMC) is a rare, slow-growing tumor arising from melanocytes in the spinal cord. We report a patient with a cervical intra- and extradural spinal tumor causing progressive weakness and numbness. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion showed intense homogeneous enhancement, similar to that seen in common neurogenic spinal tumors. After complete resection, pathological examination confirmed melanocytoma. A review of previously reported cases identified 26 reports of this tumor in the cervical spine, most of which were treated with complete surgical resection. Gross total resection is the preferred treatment, although radiation therapy may be considered when residual tumor remains. We report a 25-year-old male patient who presented with progressive weakness and numbness in both the upper and lower extremities for 3 months. MRI showed homogeneous enhancement. The mass compressed the spinal cord at C6–7 and extended through the neural foramen. Based on the MRI findings, spinal schwannoma was suspected preoperatively. Surgical resection was performed with laminectomy, durotomy, and right facetectomy. A dark-colored mass with well-demarcated margins was exposed and removed. Postoperative MRI confirmed complete removal of the mass. The patient recovered well, and his preoperative myelopathic symptoms gradually improved. SMC is a rare benign tumor that may be mistaken for schwannoma. The treatment of choice is gross total resection.

PURPOSE: To report a case of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related ophthalmic disease associated with adult xanthogranulomatous disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old male with a history of cholecystectomy visited our clinic for bilateral periorbital swelling. Histopathology of the orbital biopsy showed diffuse infiltration of foamy histiocytes with Touton giant cells and lymphoid follicles, with a diagnosis of adult-onset xanthogranuloma. After excisional biopsy, he was treated with azathioprine and prednisolone. Four years after treatment, he again visited the clinic due to bilateral, yellowish eyelid masses. Serological examinations were all nonspecific findings, except for elevation of IgG and IgG4 levels. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral symmetric soft tissue enlargement with slightly heterogeneous T1/T2 isosignal intensity, with contrast enhancement at the superolateral aspect of extraconal spaces. Excisional biopsy and blepharoplasty were performed. Immunohistochemical sections showed that the IgG4+/IgG plasma cell ratio was 10–20% and the IgG4 plasma cell count was 22/high power field (HPF). His past sections of 2013 from the pathology department were again stained and showed that the IgG4+/IgG plasma cell ratio was 40–50% and the IgG4 plasma cell count was 59/HPF. Thus, he was definitely diagnosed with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. CONCLUSIONS: If there is recurrent eyelid swelling, IgG4-related ophthalmic disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis. And the patient with adult xanthogranulomatous disease can be diagnosed with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease.
Adult ; Azathioprine ; Biopsy ; Blepharoplasty ; Cholecystectomy ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eyelids ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Orbit ; Pathology ; Plasma Cells ; Prednisolone