Lumbar spinal meningeal melanocytoma of the l3 nerve root with paraspinal extension: a case report.

STUDY

DESIGN

A case report of spinal meningeal melanocytoma with a dumbbell-shaped extension and its magnetic resonance imaging features is presented.

OBJECTIVE

To present a rare spinal tumor with pathologic and radiologic features.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Meningeal melanocytomas are rare lesions usually found in the posterior fossa and upper cervical spine. The review of literature shows the variation in different studies. The characteristic magnetic resonance imaging features of meningeal melanocytoma have not yet been defined.

METHODS

A 33-year-old woman presented with a 3-year history of backache and weakness of her left lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large dumbbell tumor at L3-L4 with extension in the paraspinal region. Schwannoma was the first possibility suggested by the MRI features. Histopathology of the lesion showed a meningeal melanocytoma.

RESULTS

The patient showed a significant recovery after surgery and a full course of radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiologic presentation could be confusing in cases of spinal dumbbell-shaped tumors. Awareness of the lesion characteristics will facilitate diagnosis and treatment of this condition.