Primary Melanocytoma of the Lower Thoracic Spinal Cord: Case report and review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Panagopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Total Resection ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Meningeal Melanocytoma ◽  
Melanocytic Tumors ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Thoracolumbar Region ◽  
Rare Benign Tumor ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Background: Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign tumor, most frequently located in the posterior fossa and spinal canal. Our objective is to illustrate a case of this tumor that originated in the thoracolumbar area of the spine and had an uneventful clinical course after total resection. Case description: We present the case of a 59 years old woman who presented with a medical history of ongoing neurological deterioration due to spastic paresis of the lower extremities. MRI of the thoracolumbar region identified a melanocytic melanoma as the underlying cause. Conclusions: Melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system have a typical appearance on MRI scans, varying with the content and distribution of melanin. However, the differential diagnosis between malignant melanoma and melanocytoma still depends on pathological criteria. Spinal meningeal melanocytoma has a benign course, and it is amenable for gross total resection. The outcome is favorable following complete resection.

Multiple hemangiomas (hemangiomatosis) of the cauda equina and spinal cord

2000 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Roncaroli ◽  
Bernd W. Scheithauer ◽  
H. Gordon Deen
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
History Of ◽  
Leg Weakness

✓ A case of multiple hemangiomas of the cauda equina nerve roots, conus medullaris, and lower spinal cord is described. The 74-year-old male patient presented with a 9-month history of progressive bilateral leg weakness. He had a history of lymphoma at the age of 39 years and renal cell carcinoma in his early 40s. Neither disease was evident at the time of this presentation. A magnetic resonance image revealed multiple enhancing nodules in the cauda equina region as well as on the pial surface of the lower thoracic spinal cord and conus medullaris. The patient underwent an L2–3 laminectomy. Cauda equina nerve roots were found to be studded with numerous purple nodules, the largest measuring 6 to 8 mm. The nodules were adherent to nerve roots from which they could not be resected. Two lesions were histologically examined and found to be capillary hemangiomas. Twelve months into an uneventful postoperative course, the patient is neurologically unchanged. This unique case might represent a distinct form of hemangiomatosis confined to the cauda equina nerve roots and spinal cord.

Anaplastic Astrocytoma in the Spinal Cord of an African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

2008 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 934-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Gibson ◽  
N. M. A. Parry ◽  
R. M. Jakowski ◽  
D. Eshar
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Anaplastic Astrocytoma ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Postmortem Examination ◽  
Lumbar Spinal Cord ◽  
Cellular Infiltration ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lumbar Spinal

A 2–year-old, female hedgehog presented with an 8–month history of progressive, ascending paresis/paralysis and was tentatively diagnosed with wobbly hedgehog syndrome. She died awaiting further diagnostic tests, and the owners consented to postmortem examination. Grossly, the bladder was large and flaccid and the cervical and lumbar spinal cord were regionally enlarged, light grey, and friable with multifocal hemorrhages. The thoracic spinal cord was grossly normal. Microscopically all regions of the spinal cord had similar changes, although the cervical and lumbar sections were most severely affected. These regions were completely effaced by a moderately cellular infiltration of highly pleomorphic polygonal to spindle shaped cells, mineralization, and necrosis, which were most consistent with anaplastic astrocytoma. The thoracic spinal cord white matter was similarly infiltrated by the neoplastic cells, with perivascular extension into the otherwise normal grey matter. A diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma was confirmed using immunohistochemical stains that were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100.

scholarly journals Intramedullary clear cell ependymoma of the lower thoracic spinal cord: report of a new case

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
Jesus Rocha-Maguey ◽  
Jesus Salvador Velarde-Felix ◽  
Myriam Cabrera-Lopez ◽  
Jaime Moya-Nuñez ◽  
Edgar Fragosa-Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Gross Total Resection ◽  
Neurophysiological Monitoring ◽  
Total Resection ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Immunohistochemical Techniques

Background: Clear cell ependymomas (CCEs) are a rare variant of tumors of the nervous system, the main location is the intracranial compartment. Special differential diagnosis should be done with oligodendrogliomas, neurocytoma, glioneurocytoma, astrocytoma, or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, lesions that somehow share cells with clear cytoplasm. Most of these lesions are benign but differential diagnosis is essential to decide further treatment. Few case reports of intramedullary CCEs have being published and there is no strict consensus on the diagnostic criteria. Case Description: We hereby describe a new case of an intramedullary clear CCE with very few neurological symptoms, surgical treatment is satisfactory, histological and immunohistochemical analysis was confirmatory. After gross total resection and 3-year follow-up no recurrence of the lesion is evident. Conclusion: After this case presentation and review of the limited literature, it is evident that methodical clinical suspicion, radiological imaging combined with histological, and modern immunohistochemical techniques are essential for the diagnosis. Surgical options with gross total resection remain the cornerstone of its treatment. Neurophysiological monitoring is extremely useful to avoid postoperative morbidity.

scholarly journals Spinal Cord Diffuse Midline Glioma in a 4-Year-Old Boy

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2329048X1984245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Kumar ◽  
Salman Rashid ◽  
Sumit Singh ◽  
Rong Li ◽  
Leon S. Dure
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
World Health ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis ◽  
Diffuse Midline Glioma

Objective: We report a child presenting with spinal myelopathy secondary to H3K27M mutant diffuse midline glioma. Case Report: A 4-year-old boy presented with a 3-week history of progressive gait difficulty. Examination revealed bilateral hand and lower extremity weakness, left leg hypertonia with ankle clonus, and a right hemisensory deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging of neuroaxis showed cervical and thoracic spinal cord with expansion and irregular areas of enhancement. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid studies were unremarkable for infectious, autoimmune, inflammatory, and neoplastic causes but showed mild cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, hypoglycorrhachia, and high protein level. A thoracic cord biopsy revealed a diffuse midline glioma (World Health Organization grade IV). Consequently, the tumor involved intracranial structures and patient died within 4 months after diagnosis. Conclusion: High-grade spinal cord gliomas are very rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric myelopathy. Tissue biopsy is recommended in indeterminate cases to facilitate diagnosis and to guide management.

Multifocal meningeal melanocytoma: a new pathological entity or the result of leptomeningeal seeding?

2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 488-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youssef Ali ◽  
Ralph Rahme ◽  
Ronald Moussa ◽  
Gerard Abadjian ◽  
Lina Menassa-Moussa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Malignant Transformation ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Pathological Features ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Meningeal Melanocytoma ◽  
Leptomeningeal Seeding ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
The Brain

Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign CNS tumor derived from the leptomeningeal melanocytes. Although unusual, malignant transformation with leptomeningeal seeding into the brain or spinal cord may occur years after the initial diagnosis. The authors report a unique case of multifocal benign meningeal melanocytoma involving both cerebellopontine angles and the thoracic spinal cord, with associated diffuse leptomeningeal hyperpigmentation. They review the literature relevant to this topic and discuss the radiological and pathological features of this disease as well as its treatment options.

scholarly journals Syringomyelia in demyelinating disease of the central nervous system: Report of two cases

2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 657-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Savic ◽  
Slobodan Vojinovic ◽  
Mirjana Spasic ◽  
Zoran Peric ◽  
Stevo Lukic
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Introduction. Syringomyelia is a cavitary extension inside the spinal cord which can be either symptomatic or congenitally-idiopathic. Syringomyelia during the course of the disease in patients presenting with clinically definite multiple sclerosis was described earlier. Syringomyelia in patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis is unusual. Case Outline. We present two patients presenting with demy-elinating disease of the central nervous system with syringomyelia in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. We did not find classical clinical signs of syringomyelia in our patients, but we disclosed syringomyelia incidentally during magnetic resonance exploration. Magnetic resonance exploration using the gadolinium contrast revealed the signs of active demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord in one patient but not in the other. Conclusion. Syringomyelia in demyelinating disease of the central nervous system opens the question whether it is a coincidental finding or a part of clinical features of the disease. Differentiation of the significance of syringomyelia finding in these patients plays a role in the choice of treatment concept in such patients.

Correlation of Postmortem 9.4 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Immunohistopathology of the Human Thoracic Spinal Cord 7 Months after Traumatic Cervical Spine Injury

Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 671-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Scholtes ◽  
Peter Adriaensens ◽  
Liesbet Storme ◽  
Armin Buss ◽  
Byron A. Kakulas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Human Spinal Cord ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Mri Scans

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To correlate high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with immunohistopathology in the injured human spinal cord. METHODS: Postmortem MRI scans at a field strength of 9.4 T, as well as standard histology and immunohistochemistry, were performed on an excised specimen of human high thoracic spinal cord, obtained 7 months after the initial trauma, several segments below a severe spinal cord lesion (C5). RESULTS: A precise correlation is described between MRI and immunohistochemistry of the long white matter tracts undergoing Wallerian degeneration and of an extension of the cervical lesion into the high thoracic cord. CONCLUSION: MRI, the only imaging technique that currently provides useful information on the spinal cord parenchyma after trauma, is rapidly evolving. High-field scanners of up to 9.4 T are being clinically tested. The present postmortem investigation of an isolated spinal cord specimen demonstrates the precise correlation that can be achieved between imaging and pathology. In future investigations, this type of technique can lead to a more precise description of spinal cord injuries and their consequences in remote tissue. Translation into the clinical setting will improve diagnosis and follow-up of spinal cord injured patients.

Pediatric spinal pilomyxoid astrocytoma

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah T. Garber ◽  
Robert J. Bollo ◽  
Jay K. Riva-Cambrin
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Alkylating Agents ◽  
Malignant Gliomas ◽  
Spinal Tumor ◽  
Total Resection ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Thoracic Spinal

Pediatric spinal pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is an extremely rare tumor that merits recognition as a specific, unique entity. The authors present the case of an intramedullary PMA in the thoracic spinal cord of an 11-year-old boy who presented with back pain, scoliosis, and multiple lung nodules. The patient underwent T5–11 laminoplasty and near-total resection of the spinal tumor. The final pathological diagnosis was WHO Grade II PMA. The patient did well for 14 months until the tumor progressed both clinically and radiographically. A literature review focusing on the clinical characteristics, histology, and treatment of PMAs provides a better understanding of these rare lesions. Because of the small number of cases optimal treatment guidelines have not been established, but gross-total resection and adjuvant chemotherapy with alkylating agents appear to confer a better long-term prognosis. Pediatric patients with PMAs can remain recurrence free at least 5 years after surgery, although these tumors may disseminate or dedifferentiate into more malignant gliomas. Recognition of intramedullary PMA as a unique entity in children is vital to the development of specific surgical and adjuvant treatment regimens.

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