Primary melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system: A
neuroradiological and clinicopathological study of five cases and brief
review of literature
Primary melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are
uncommon lesions. These lesions arise from the melanocytes located
within leptomeninges and include diffuse melanocytosis and meningeal
melanomatosis (seen in neurocutaneous melanosis), melanocytoma, and
malignant melanoma. To study, the clinical course, neuroradiological
features, morphology and immunohistochemistry of primary melanocytic
tumor of CNS. Demographic, clinical and surgico-pathologic findings of
five patients with melanocytic tumors seen between 1996 and 2003 were
studied. In this study, five cases of primary melanocytic tumors have
been reported: four cases of malignant melanoma and one case of
melanocytoma. Three of the 5 cases were intracranial and 2 were spinal.
The mean age in the present study was 26 years. Presenting features
varied according to the location. Primary melanocytic tumor of CNS are
rare. Whenever possible, complete surgical excision is the best
treatment