Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Malignant transformation of meningeal melanocytoma: A case report

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Brain Tumor Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma is an uncommon tumor that is considered benign. We formerly reported an intracranial meningeal melanocytoma. Here we report a extremely rare case of malignant transformation of this tumor. A 49-year-old man complained of a headache. Magnetic resonance scanning revealed a mass in the left frontal region. The patient underwent gross total removal of the tomor in 1994. The histological findings showed a meningeal melanocytoma. In 1998, he underwent γ-knife surgery for local recurrence. An additional operation was performed in 1999 became tumor growth was not stopped. The tumor was partially excised by left frontal craniotomy. Histopathological examination revealed a malignant melanoma originating from a melanocytoma. The tumor was composed of a proliferation of severely atypical melanocytoid cells with slightly irregular nuclei and prominent nucleoli, associated with necrosis and hemorrhage. Mitotic figures were encountered occasionally. After six months, he died from cerebrospinal fluid dissemination of this tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of malignant transformation of an intracranial meningeal melanocytoma.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kawaguchi T, Kawano T, Kishikawa M, et al (1998) Meningeal melanocytoma in the left frontal region. Brain Tumor Pathol 15:58–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Limas C, Tio FO (1972) Meningeal melanocytoma (“melanocytic meningioma”). Its melanocytic origin as revealed by electron microscopy. Cancer 30:1286–1294

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Botticelli AR, Villiani M, Angiari P, et al (1983) Meningeal melanocytoma of Meckel’s cave associated with ipsilateral Ota’s nevus. Case report. Cancer 51:2304–2310

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Winston KR, Sotrel A, Schnitt SJ (1987) Meningeal melanocytoma. Case report and review of the clinical and histological features. J Neurosurg 66:50–57

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Jellinger K, Bock F, Brenner H (1988) Meningeal melanocytoma. Report of a case and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 94:78–87

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Russel DS, Rubinstein LJ (1989) Pathology of tumours of the nervous system, 5th edn. Edward Arnold, London, pp 794–795

    Google Scholar 

  7. Tewari MK, Radotra BD, Sharma BS (1990) Meningeal melanocytoma: report of two cases. Indian J Cancer 27:133–137

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Naul GL, Hise JH, Bauserman SC, et al (1992) CT and MR of meningeal melanocytoma. AJNR 12:315–316

    Google Scholar 

  9. Uematsu Y, Yukawa S, Yokote H, et al (1992) Meningeal melanocytoma: magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and pathological features. J Neurosurg 76:705–709

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Litofsky NS, Zee CS, Breeze RE, et al (1992) Meningeal melanocytoma: diagnostic criteria for a rare lesion. Neurosurgery 31:945–948

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Prabhu SS, Lynch PG, Keogh AJ, et al (1993) Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma: a case report of two cases and a review of the literature. Surg Neurol 40:516–521

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Maiuri F, Laconetta G, Benvenuti D, et al (1995) Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma: case report. Surg Neurol 44:556–561

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. O’Brien TF, Moran M, Miller JH, et al (1995) Meningeal melanocytoma. An uncommon diagnostic pitfall in surgical neuropathology. Arch Pathol Lab Med 119:542–546

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Takenaka N, Imanishi T, Kondoh A, et al (1996) Primary intramedullary melanocytoma of medulla oblongata: a case report. Neurol Surg 24:247–252

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Faro SH, Koenigsberg RA, Turtz AR, et al (1996) Melanocytoma of the cavernous sinus: CT and MR findings. AJNR 17:1087–1090

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gardiman M, Altavilla G, Marchioro L, et al (1996) Meningeal melanocytoma: a rare lesion of the central nervous system. Tumori 82:494–496

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hirose T, Horiguchi H, Kaneko F, et al (1997) Melanocytoma of the foramen magnum. Pathol Int 47:155–160

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Chen CJ, Hsu YI, Ho YS, et al (1997) Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma: CT and MRI. Neuroradiology 39:811–814

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Leonardi MA, Lumenta CB, Stolzle A, et al (1998) Unusual clinical presentation of a meningeal melanocytoma with seizures: case report and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 140:621–628

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Brat DJ, Giannini C, Scheithauer BW, et al (1999) Primary melanocytic neoplasms of the central nervous system. Am J Surg Pathol 23:745–754

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Czirjak S, Vitanovic D, Slowik F, et al (2000) Primary meningeal melanocytoma of the pineal region: case report. J Neurosurg 92:461–465

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kurita H, Segawa H, Shin M, et al (2000) Radiosurgery of meningeal melanocytoma. J Neurooncol 46:56–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chow M, Clarke DB, Maloney WJ, et al (2001) Meningeal melanocytoma of the planum sphenoidale: case report and review of literature. J Neurosurg 94:841–845

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Marti MDP, Mohamed H, Liprandi A, et al (2002) Intracranial meningeal melanocytoma associated with ipsilateral nevus of Ota: case report. J Neurosurg 96:619–623

    Google Scholar 

  25. Barker-Griffith AE, Mcdonaid PR, Green WR (1976) Malignant melanoma arising in a choroidal magnocellular nevus (melanocytoma). Can J Ophthalmol 11:140–146

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Boniuk MM, Friedman AH (1978) Malignant change in melanocytomas of the uveal tract. Surv Ophthalmol 22:404–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Apple DJ, Craythorn JM, Reidy JJ, et al (1984) Malignant transformation of an optic nerve melanocytoma. Can J Ophthalmol 19:320–325

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Heitman KF, Kincaid MC, Steahly L (1988) Diffuse malignant change in a ciliochoroidal melanocytoma in a patient of mixed racial background. Retina 8:67–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Cialdini AP, Sahel JA, Jalkh AE, et al (1989) Malignant transformation of an iris melanocytoma: case report. Graefe’s Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 227:348–354

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Shields JA, Shields CL, Eagle RC, et al (1989) Malignant melanoma associated with melanocytoma of the optic disc. Ophthalmology 97:225–230

    Google Scholar 

  31. Leidenix M, Mamalis N, Goodart R, et al (1994) Malignant transformation of a necrotic melanocytoma of the choroids in an amblyopic eye. Ann Ophthalmol 26:42–46

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Meyer D, Ge J, Blinder KJ, et al (1999) Malignant transformation of an optic disc melanocytoma. Am J Ophthalmol 127:710–714

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Cordoba A, Tunon T, Vazquez JJ (1989) Meningeal melanocytoma. A case report and literature review. Arch Neurobiol 52:93–99

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Fukuoka Tokushukai Hospital, Sukukita 4-5, Kasuga, 816-0864, Fukuoka, Japan

    Yoichi Uozumi, Teruaki Kawano, Tsutomu Kawaguchi, Yoshirou Kaneko, Takao Ooasa, Sadanobu Ogasawara & Takahisa Yoshida

  2. Department of Pathology, Fukuoka Tokushukai Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

    Hidenori Yoshida

Authors
  1. Yoichi Uozumi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Teruaki Kawano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tsutomu Kawaguchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yoshirou Kaneko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Takao Ooasa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sadanobu Ogasawara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Hidenori Yoshida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Takahisa Yoshida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Uozumi, Y., Kawano, T., Kawaguchi, T. et al. Malignant transformation of meningeal melanocytoma: A case report. Brain Tumor Pathol 20, 21–25 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02478943

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02478943

Key words

Search

Navigation