Primary leptomeningeal melanoma.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review of a case of primary leptomeningeal melanoma.

OBJECTIVES

To present a previously undescribed tumor of the lumbar meninges.

BACKGROUND

The case described the first report of lumbar localization and of bony metastasis of this tumor.

METHODS

The authors present a case of a 65-year-old man with a destruction of the fifth lumbar vertebra and an exacerbation of lumbar pain and acute sensorimotor radiculopathy.

RESULTS

The histologic examination of the resected tissue after the transpedicular stabilization suggested the presence of metastatic melanoma. After the development of progressive paraplegia and a second operation, subsequent histologic examination of the resected tissue showed the lesion to be a primary leptomeningeal melanoma. The patient's condition deteriorated progressively, and 31 days after confirmation of the diagnosis, he died of meningeal melanomatosis.

CONCLUSION

By indicating the possibility of hitherto unreported sites of occurrence, routes of metastatic spread, and manifestations of this malignant tumor, this case report may contribute to the further elucidation of this disease.