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Primary intramedullary spinal melanoma: diagnostic and treatment problems
K Salame1, O Merimsky, J Yosipov
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Israel.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|April 3, 1998
Summary
A 76-year-old female developed spinal cord compression symptoms. An intramedullary spinal tumor, identified as malignant melanoma, was surgically treated but did not resolve the neurological deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- A 76-year-old female with a history of breast cancer presented with new neurological symptoms.
- The patient had undergone a mastectomy for infiltrating ductal breast cancer 9 years prior.
Observation:
- The patient experienced lower thoracic pain, radiating chest wall pain, micturition difficulties, urinary hesitancy, and progressive lower limb weakness.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a primary intramedullary spinal tumor.
Findings:
- The spinal tumor was partially resected and pathologically diagnosed as malignant melanoma.
- Postoperative treatments including irradiation and dexamethasone failed to improve the patient's neurological status.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare presentation of malignant melanoma as a primary intramedullary spinal tumor.
- The findings underscore the challenges in managing spinal cord compression from rare tumors, even with multimodal treatment approaches.