Open AccessPrimary malignant melanoma of the central nervous system: A diagnostic challenge
Author(s) -
Javier Quillo-Olvera,
Juan Salvador Uribe-Olalde,
L. Alberto Alcántara-Gómez,
Jorge Dax Rejón-Pérez,
Héctor Guillermo Palomera-Gómez
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
cirugía y cirujanos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2444-0507
DOI - 10.1016/j.circen.2015.08.008
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , central nervous system , cancer research
BackgroundThe rare incidence of primary malignant melanoma of the central nervous system and its ability to mimic other melanocytic tumours on images make it a diagnostic challenge for the neurosurgeon.Clinical caseA 51-year-old patient, with a tumour located in the right forniceal callosum area. Total surgical excision was performed. Histopathological result was consistent with the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the central nervous system, after ruling out extracranial and extraspinal melanocytic lesions.ConclusionsThe primary malignant melanoma of the central nervous system is extremely rare. There are features in magnetic resonance imaging that increase the diagnostic suspicion; nevertheless there are other tumours with more prevalence that share some of these features through image. Since there is not an established therapeutic standard its prognosis is discouraging