Spinal meningeal melanocytoma with hydrocephalus and intracranial superficial siderosis

How Should We Treat Meningeal Melanocytoma? A Retrospective Analysis of Potential Treatment Strategies

BACKGROUND

Meningeal melanocytomas (MM) are rare primary melanocytic tumors of the leptomeninges with an incidence of 1:10,000,000. Until now, there has been only sparse information about this tumor entity. Here, we provide a meta-analysis of all cases published in the English language since 1972.

METHODS

A literature review was performed using PubMed and Web of Science. All published cases were evaluated for location, sex, age, therapeutic approach, and outcome. In total, we included 201 patient cases in our meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The majority of MM was diagnosed more frequently in men between the third and fifth decade of life. Surgery is the preferred therapeutic approach, and total resection is associated with the best outcome. Patients with partial resection or tumor recurrence benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy, whereas chemo- or immunotherapies do not improve the disease course. Malignant transformation was described in 18 patients. Of these, 11 patients developed metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

We present the first retrospective meta-analysis of all MM cases published in the English language, including an evaluation of different treatment strategies allowing us to suggest a novel treatment guideline highlighting the importance of total resection for recurrence-free survival and characterizing those cases which benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy.

Superficial siderosis and nonobstructive hydrocephalus due to subependymoma in the ventricle: An illustrative case report

Background:

Intraventricular tumors can generally result in obstructive hydrocephalus as they grow. Rarely, however, some intraventricular tumors develop superficial siderosis (SS) and trigger hydrocephalus, even though the tumor has hardly grown. Here, we present an illustrative case of SS and nonocclusive hydrocephalus caused by subependymoma of the lateral ventricles.

Case Description:

A 78-year-old man with an intraventricular tumor diagnosed 7 years ago had been suffering from gait disturbance for 2 years. He also developed cognitive impairment. Intraventricular tumors showed little growth on annual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI T2-star weighted images (T2*WI) captured small intratumoral hemorrhages from the beginning of the follow-up. Three years before, at the same time as the onset of ventricular enlargement, T2*WI revealed low intensity in the whole tumor and cerebral surface. Subsequent follow-up revealed that this hemosiderin deposition had spread to the brain stem and cerebellar surface, and the ventricles had expanded further. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed xanthochromia. The tumor was completely removed en bloc. Histopathological findings were consistent with those of subependymoma. Although CSF findings improved, SS and hydrocephalus did not improve. Therefore, the patient underwent a lumboperitoneal shunt for CSF diversion after tumor resection.

Conclusion:

Some intraventricular tumors cause SS and nonobstructive hydrocephalus due to microbleeding, even in the absence of tumor growth. T2*WI and, if necessary, timely CSF examination can allow identification of presymptomatic SS. This follow-up strategy may provide a favorable course by facilitating early intervention in patients with intraventricular lesions, not just subependymomas.

Malignant spindle cell tumors of the posterior fossa in children: case series and review of management

OBJECTIVE

The WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System (2016) classifies nonmeningothelial malignant spindle cell tumors involving the extraaxial tissues of the posterior fossa as melanocytic tumors and malignant mesenchymal tumors (sarcomas). The objective of this study was to conduct a review of the literature pertaining to the management strategies of posterior fossa malignant spindle cell tumors in the pediatric population.

METHODS

The authors performed an institutional search of their pathology database for patients younger than 18 years of age who presented with posterior fossa malignant spindle cell tumors. A literature review was also performed using the PubMed database, with "posterior fossa" or "spindle cell tumors" or "Ewing sarcoma" or "high-grade" or "spindle cell sarcoma" or "leptomeningeal melanocytoma" as keywords. The database search was restricted to pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years). Parameters reported from the literature review included patient age, tumor location, presenting symptoms, treatment modalities (resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy), leptomeningeal spread at or after the time of treatment, and follow-up length and resulting outcome.

RESULTS

The authors report 3 rare cases of posterior fossa malignant spindle cell tumors, including Ewing sarcoma in a 13-year-old male; high-grade spindle cell sarcoma, not otherwise specified in a 10-year-old male; and primary leptomeningeal melanocytoma in a 16-year-old female. All 3 patients underwent resection and radiotherapy and either chemotherapy or targeted immunotherapy. At the last follow-up, all patients were alive with either resolution or stable disease.

CONCLUSIONS

A review of these 3 cases and the existing literature support managing patients with intracranial malignant spindle cell tumors with multimodal therapy that can include a combination of resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy to prolong progression-free and overall survival.

Primary intramedullary melanocytoma presenting with lower limbs, defecation, and erectile dysfunction: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Primary intramedullary melanocytoma is an exceedingly rare type of primary melanocytic tumor in the central nervous system. Unfortunately, primary intramedullary melanocytoma lacks specificity in clinical symptoms and imaging features and there is currently no standard strategy for diagnosis or treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

A 52-year-old male patient suffered from weakness and numbness involving the bilateral lower limbs for 18 mo, and defecation and erectile dysfunction for 6 mo. Furthermore, these symptoms started to worsen for the last 3 mo. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intramedullary tumor located at the T9-T10 level. In subsequently surgery, the maximal safe resection extent approached to 98%. The lesion was confirmed to be melanocytoma by pathological examination. In addition, the possibility of original melanocytoma outside the spinal cord was excluded after the examination of the whole body. Therefore, a diagnosis of primary intramedullary melanocytoma was established. The patient refused to accept radiotherapy or Gamma Knife, but MRI examination on July 28, 2020 showed no sign of development. In addition, on April 10, 2021, the recent review showed that the disorder of defecation and lower limbs improved further but erectile dysfunction benefited a little from the surgery.

CONCLUSION

After diagnosing intramedullary melanocytoma by postoperative pathology, the inspection of the whole body contributed to excluding the possibility of metastasis from other regions and further suggested a diagnosis of primary intramedullary melanocytoma. Complete resection, adjuvant radiation, and regular review are critical. In addition, maximal safe resection also benefits prognosis while the tumor is difficult to be resected totally.

Primary Melanocytomas of the Spinal Cord: Case Studies and Rehabilitation Perspectives

Primary melanocytomas of the central nervous system are rare tumors arising from leptomeningeal melanocytes. Only 29 cases have been reported in the literature. Presenting symptoms may include insidious onset of back pain, slowly progressive neurologic deficits such as weakness and sensory changes, and bowel and bladder dysregulation. Advanced imaging including magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in lesion localization but does not distinguish between primary and metastatic melanoma. In this case series, we present 3 patients with nontraumatic spinal cord injuries secondary to primary central nervous system malignant melanocytomas who were admitted to a single inpatient rehabilitation facility within a 12-month time frame. These cases highlight the importance of the rehabilitation team in the continuum of care for patients undergoing resection of primary melanocytomas of the spinal cord. The rehabilitation team should be involved in the preoperative counseling setting, immediately postoperatively, and in follow-up care to assess for signs of recurrence. A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach including physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, rehabilitation neuropsychologists, and physiatrists is important for optimizing the function of these patients.

8-Year Follow-up for Woman with Spinal Meningeal Melanocytoma in S1 Nerve Root: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Primary melanocytic neoplasms in the central nervous system are rare lesions arising from leptomeningeal melanocytes. These lesions produce neural deficits that resemble those of a meningioma or a schwannoma radiologically.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A tumor around the left S1 root with an extension into the left paraspinal compartment was identified in a 32-year-old female with persistent left leg pain for 6 months. The tumor was hyperintense on T1-weighted image and hypointense on T2-weighted image with a homogeneous enhancement. The clinical features, radiologic presentations, treatment choice, and pathologic characteristic were illustrated. The treatment outcome was compared with those reported in the previous literature. The tumor was en-bloc resected with the S1 nerve root reserved. Grossly, the tumor was a soft, capsulated, well-circumscribed, black pigmented lesion. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for HMB-45, S-100 protein, and vimentin. The patient's symptoms were greatly relieved postoperatively. No signs of local recurrence were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal meningeal melanocytoma inside the nerve root is rare and benign. It is difficult to diagnose and often misdiagnosed as schwannoma or meningioma. HMB-45 has been suggested as a significant marker for the diagnosis of meningeal melanocytoma. Complete surgical resection is recommended as the primary treatment. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments can be selected as adjuvant therapies, but their effects are controversial. The recurrence and metastasis rates also remain unclear.

Meningeal Melanocytoma Associated with Nevus of Ota: Analysis of Twelve Reported Cases

BACKGROUND

Primary melanocytic neoplasms (PMNs) are rare neoplasms, especially within the central nervous system. Meningeal melanocytomas, a subtype of PMN, are even rarer. Nevus of Ota results from the incomplete migration of melanocytes from the neural crest. Synchronous nevus of Ota and meningeal melanocytoma are infrequently encountered in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and elucidate 12 cases of synchronous meningeal melanocytoma and nevus of Ota, thereby improving the understanding of the relationship between these 2 diseases.

METHODS

We reviewed cases and searched the English-language literature from the PubMed database and collected clinical parameters of 12 cases of synchronously occurring nevus of Ota and meningeal melanocytoma.

RESULTS

Among the 12 cases, 90.90% and 91.66% of the lesions were located ipsilaterally and supratentorially, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated a trend for both types of lesion to be located ipsilaterally and supratentorially. When a patient with nevus of Ota is found to harbor an intracranial neoplasm, the most likely diagnosis is PMN.

Rare association of secondary superficial siderosis caused by a fourth ventricle hemorrhagic ependymoma mimicking a cavernoma: Case report and literature review

Background:

The association of a hemorrhagic tumor with secondary superficial siderosis (SS) is a relatively rare although well described phenomenon.

Case Description:

We present the case report of a 35-year-old male with a history of drowsiness, hypoacusia, drop attacks, and multidirectional nystagmus during the last 2 months, who presented with acute obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a fourth ventricle mass displaying radiological signs of repeated intra and extratumoral hemorrhage with SS. He underwent gross surgical removal of the solid component of the tumor. Microscopic examination revealed an ependymoma with atypical features, including prominent angiomatous formations and internal chronic hemorrhages with hemosiderin deposits, resembling a cavernoma. The scarce tumoral component, which extended around these cavernous vessels, lacked the gross typical features of fibrillary stroma or perivascular pseudorosettes.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, including the present case, there are 45 published reports of tumors associating secondary SS. Besides ependymoma, no other hemorrhagic lesion, tumoral or vascular, has been previously published associating a fourth ventricle location with secondary SS. The present case represents the fifth with this finding, and we strongly suggest ependymoma as a presumptive diagnosis when this rare association is encountered. In addition, this appears to be the first case reported in the scientific literature of a hemorrhagic fourth ventricle ependymoma mimicking both, radiologically and histologically, a cavernous malformation.

Cervical Spinal Meningeal Melanocytoma Presenting as Intracranial Superficial Siderosis

Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare pigmented tumor of the leptomeningeal melanocytes. This rare entity results in diagnostic difficulty in imaging unless clinical and histopathology correlation is performed. In this case report, we describe a case of meningeal melanocytoma of the cervical region presenting with superficial siderosis. Extensive neuroradiological examination is necessary to locate the source of the bleeding in such patients. Usually, the patient will be cured by the complete surgical excision of the lesion.

Primary intramedullary melanocytoma in the cervical spinal cord: Case report and literature review

A 63-year-old man with right hemiparesis was found (on MRI) to have an expansive intramedullary tumorous lesion at the C2-C3 level. After complete neurosurgical tumor resection, the tumor was histologically categorized as an intermediate grade of intramedullary melanocytoma, an uncommon neoplasm. Based on this peculiar case and review of the literature, radical surgical resection appears to be the therapy of choice for intramedullary melanocytomas. However, their high recurrence rate and aggressive behavior suggest the need for close followup with serial MRI.

Intermediate-grade meningeal melanocytoma associated with nevus of Ota: a case report and review of the literature

Meningeal melanocytomas are rare melanin-producing tumors that are often found to be benign. However, a small subset of these tumors can present as intermediate-grade melanocytomas (IGMs) that have histopathological features that are between those of benign melanocytomas and malignant melanomas. IGMs have the potential to recur and metastasize or progress to a more histologically high grade melanoma. Melanocytomas appear to differ from primary and metastatic melanoma by their prolonged clinical course and they appear to have different driver mutations (i.e. mutation of GNAQ gene). The association of a meningeal melanocytoma with nevus of Ota is extremely rare. To our knowledge, there have been only 10 reported cases of synchronous occurrence and only one of the cases involved an IGM. We report the second case of intermediate-grade meningeal melanocytoma that is associated with congenital nevus of Ota. Histopathological work-up confirmed the intermediate grade of the lesion and a driver GNAQ mutation was identified consistent with previous reports.

Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system caused by hemorrhagic intraventricular craniopharyngioma: case report and literature review

Superficial siderosis is a rare condition caused by hemosiderin deposits in the central nervous system (CNS) due to prolonged or recurrent low-grade bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CNS tumor could be one of the sources of bleeding, both pre- and postoperatively. We report an extremely rare case of superficial siderosis associated with purely third ventricle craniopharyngioma, and review previously reported cases of superficial siderosis associated with CNS tumor. A 69-year-old man presented with headache, unsteady gait, blurred vision, and progressive hearing loss. Brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium revealed a well enhanced, intraventricular mass in the anterior part of the third ventricle. T₂*-weighted gradient echo (GE) MR imaging revealed a hypointense rim around the brain particularly marked within the depth of the sulci. Superficial siderosis was diagnosed based on these findings. The tumor was diffusely hypointense on T₂*-weighted GE imaging, indicating intratumoral hemorrhage. The lateral ventricles were dilated, suggesting hydrocephalus. [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed increased uptake in the tumor. The whole brain surface appeared dark ocher at surgery. Histological examination showed the hemorrhagic tumor was papillary craniopharyngioma. His hearing loss progressed after removal of the tumor. T₂*-weighted GE MR imaging demonstrated not only superficial siderosis but also diffuse intratumoral hemorrhage in the tumor. Superficial siderosis and its related symptoms, including hearing loss, should be considered in patients with hemorrhagic tumor related to the CSF space. Purely third ventricle craniopharyngioma rarely has hemorrhagic character, which could cause superficial siderosis and progressive hearing loss.

Spinal meningeal melanocytoma in the S-1 nerve root sheath with paraspinal extension mimicking schwannoma

BACKGROUND

Spinal melanocytomas are variants that can be extradural or intradural and are most often located in the intradural extramedullary compartment of the main thecal sac as in schwannomas. However, origin of this variant from the pure peripheral compartment of rootlets is exceedingly rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors present a case of spinal melanocytoma with confusing pathologic and radiologic features. This patient presented clinically with severe radiating pain on the right lower extremity. Before surgery, clinical and radiologic findings were consistent with a schwannoma. However, on operation, a coal-black pigmented lesion mimicking old blood clot was found inside the right S-1 root sheath, attached to the dura. The mass was completely removed and consequently the patient's symptoms improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The spinal melanocytoma should be included as a differential diagnosis before giving a presumptive diagnosis of schwannoma or hemorrhage for the patient with a space-occupying lesion at a peripheral rootlet. Intraoperative gross morphology and histopathologic findings facilitate differential diagnosis.

Intramedullary melanocytoma: case report and review of literature

We report on a very rare case of dorsal intramedullary melanocytoma in a 62-year-old man. The tumor was resected and gross total removal was achieved. During a 2-year follow-up period in which no radiotherapy was given, the tumor did not recur. We review the literature on these tumors and present disease criteria to distinguish melanocytoma from primary malignant melanoma. Patients and investigators should be cautioned that an intramedullary melanocytoma may recur and give rise to metastatic spread via the cerebrospinal fluid.

Surgical treatment for intramedullary spinal cord melanocytomas

Spinal meningeal melanocytomas are rare lesions that are histologically benign and can behave aggressively, with local infiltration. The authors present their experience with intramedullary spinal cord melanocytomas consisting of 3 cases, which represents the second largest series in the literature. A retrospective chart review was performed following identification of all spinal melanocytomas treated at the author's institution, based on information obtained from a neuropathology database. The charts were reviewed for patient demographics, surgical procedure, clinical outcome, and long-term tumor progression. Three patients were identified in whom spinal melanocytoma had been diagnosed between 1989 and 2006. The patients' ages were 37, 37, and 48 years, and the location of their tumor was C1-3, T9-10, and T-12, respectively. All 3 had complete resection with no adjuvant radiotherapy during follow-up periods of 16, 38, and 185 months, respectively. One patient demonstrated a recurrence 29 months after resection and the other 2 patients have demonstrated asymptomatic recurrences on imaging studies obtained at 16 and 38 months following resection. With these cases added to the available literature, the evidence strongly suggests that complete resection is the treatment of choice for spinal melanocytomas. Even with complete resection, recurrences are common and close follow-up is needed for the long term in these patients. Radiation therapy should be reserved for those cases in which complete resection is not possible or in which there is recurrence.

Meningeal Melanocytoma Associated with Ipsilateral Nevus of Ota Presenting as Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Case Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

The authors report a rare case of meningeal melanocytoma presenting with unconsciousness, which was caused by an intracerebral hematoma and associated with a history of ipsilateral nevus of Ota.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

A 75-year-old woman developed nevus of Ota in the first and second divisions of the right trigeminal nerve territory, which had been treated with a skin graft 40 years earlier. She noticed right exophthalmos but left it untreated for 2 years and then became comatose owing to orbital and intracranial tumors, the latter manifesting with hemorrhage.

INTERVENTION:

She underwent craniotomy, during which the tumor was partially removed with intracerebral hematoma. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as meningeal melanocytoma. Western blot analysis demonstrated a retained protein expression of cell cycle inhibitor p16INK4A and a high level of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in the resected tumor.

CONCLUSION:

The combination of nevus of Ota and meningeal melanocytoma has been reported in only four cases in the literature, including the current case. This is the first case coinciding with intracerebral hemorrhage, suggesting the necessity for careful follow-up with radiological images.

Spinal meningeal melanocytoma. Report of two cases and review of the literature

The authors report on two patients with spinal meningeal melanocytoma and review the literature on this lesion. One case is particularly interesting because of the lesion's thoracic intramedullary localization. Meningeal melanocytoma is a benign but locally aggressive lesion and is very rarely associated with spinal localizations. This patient presented with paraparesis. Clinical and radiological examinations suggested the possibility of an intramedullary solid tumor. Thoracic laminectomy, posterior myelotomy, and tumor resection were performed; the mass was totally removed. The patient suffered no additional neurological deficit. During a 3-year follow-up period in which radiotherapy was not performed, the lesion did not recur. Total excision of the tumor is the best therapeutic option.

Lumbar spinal meningeal melanocytoma of the l3 nerve root with paraspinal extension: a case report

STUDY DESIGN

A case report of spinal meningeal melanocytoma with a dumbbell-shaped extension and its magnetic resonance imaging features is presented.

OBJECTIVE

To present a rare spinal tumor with pathologic and radiologic features.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Meningeal melanocytomas are rare lesions usually found in the posterior fossa and upper cervical spine. The review of literature shows the variation in different studies. The characteristic magnetic resonance imaging features of meningeal melanocytoma have not yet been defined.

METHODS

A 33-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of backache and weakness of her left lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large dumbbell tumor at L3-L4 with extension in the paraspinal region. Schwannoma was the first possibility suggested by the MRI features. Histopathology of the lesion showed a meningeal melanocytoma.

RESULTS

The patient showed a significant recovery after surgery and a full course of radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiologic presentation could be confusing in cases of spinal dumbbell-shaped tumors. Awareness of the lesion characteristics will facilitate diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Meningeal melanocytoma of the brain and oculodermal melanocytosis (nevus of Ota): case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Meningeal melanocytomas are rare benign pigmented tumors of meningeal melanocytes. Nevus of Ota is a melanocytic pigmentation of the sclera and the skin adjacent to the eye. We report a rare case of parietal convexity meningeal melanocytoma associated with ipsilateral mucocutaneous melanosis and review the literature.

METHODS

A 17-year-old man presented with headache and blindness. There was left scalp and facial mucocutaneous melanosis. During surgery, speckled hyperpigmentation was seen in all layers of the scalp, bone, dura, and even ependyma. Pathologic examination of the tumor and scalp consisted of light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. In a literature review, the demographics (age, sex), clinical characteristics (site of lesion, duration of symptoms), therapeutic options (surgical excision, radiotherapy), and prognosis (recurrence, death, death related to the disease, and follow-up) were analyzed. For statistical analysis we used the independent sample t-test and chi(2) tests.

RESULTS

Ninety-five cases (45 intracranial and 50 spinal) of meningeal melanocytoma have been reported. The median age of patients with intracranial lesions (40 years) was significantly lower than that of patients with spinal lesions (49 years) (p = 0.016). Of the 95 patients, 57.9% were female. In the nervous system, melanocytes are more common in the infratentorial and cervical areas, but more than half of the tumors have been located in the supratentorial region and the thoracic spine. In 46 months median follow-up, tumor recurrence rate and tumor related death rate were 26.3% and 10.5%, respectively. These were not statistically significant for different therapeutic modalities. There was a trend toward shorter survival for patients who underwent subtotal tumor resection without radiotherapy compared with other groups.

CONCLUSION

The prognostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and the embryological aspects of meningeal melanocytoma are discussed with a review of the related literature.

Two cases of spinal meningeal melanocytoma

Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare pigmented tumor originating from the melanocytes that generally occurs in the posterior fossa and the spinal cord. Although it is known as a relatively benign tumor, some recurrences have been reported. We report two cases of spinal meningeal melanocytoma with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. In addition, we include a summary of published cases since the first case of Limas and Tio in 1972.