Findings from CT, MRI, and PET/CT of a primary malignant melanoma arising in a spinal nerve root

• Published in: European spine journal 2010-07, Vol.19 (Suppl 2), p.174-178
• Main Authors: Lee, Nyoung Keun, Lee, Byung Hoon, Hwang, Yoon Joon, Sohn, Moon-Jun, Chang, Sunhee, Kim, Yong Hoon, Cha, Soon Joo, Cho, Hyeon Je
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Case Report; Cervical Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Cervical Vertebrae - pathology; Dura Mater - diagnostic imaging; Dura Mater - pathology; Dura Mater - surgery; Epidural Space - diagnostic imaging; Epidural Space - pathology; Epidural Space - surgery; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Melanoma - diagnostic imaging; Melanoma - pathology; Neurosurgery; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiculopathy - diagnostic imaging; Radiculopathy - pathology; Spinal Cord Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Cord Neoplasms - pathology; Spinal Nerve Roots - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Nerve Roots - pathology; Surgical Orthopedics; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0940-6719; 1432-0932
• DOI: 10.1007/s00586-010-1285-1

Primary spinal malignant melanoma is an extremely rare condition. We here describe a case of a 71-year-old Asian female presenting with left upper extremity tingling sensation. Computed tomography (CT) showed a homogeneously enhanced mass occupying the left neural foramen at the C6-7 level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed enhanced mass in intra- and extradural space compressing the spinal cord at this level. It also widened the neural foramen mimicking neurofibroma or schwannoma. Partial resection of the mass was performed. Pathologic diagnosis of the mass was malignant melanoma. Postoperative whole body positron emission tomography/CT scan demonstrated an intense 18 F-FDG uptake at the residual mass site without abnormal uptake at other sites in the body.