Dural melanoma associated with ocular melanosis and multiple blue nevi.
BACKGROUND
Primary meningeal melanomas of the central nervous system (CNS) are a rare malignant process with the majority originating from the leptomeninges. Primary dural melanomas have been reported to occur in isolation or in conjunction with Nevus of Ota. The association of primary dural melanoma with multiple cutaneous blue nevi has not been reported previously.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of a 41-year-old Asian woman patient with a primary dural melanoma that arose in association with ocular melanosis and multiple cutaneous blue nevi. The patient is alive almost more than 8 years after subtotal and subsequent total resection of her primary tumor. Primary dural melanomas, Nevus of Ota, and blue nevi are discussed in relation to their coexistence and potential for intracranial melanoma.


CONCLUSIONS
CNS melanoma is regarded as an extremely aggressive disease with poor prognosis. This case and previous reports of dural melanomas occurring in isolation or with Nevus of Ota have demonstrated relatively prolonged survival after surgical intervention. We conclude that dural melanomas are less aggressive tumors requiring surgical extirpation only.
Rivers
J K
JK
Division of Dermatology, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, 835 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4E8. jrivers@interchange.ubc.ca
Bhayana
S
S
Martinka
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008548:Melanosis / Q000150:complications*; D020752:Neurocutaneous Syndromes / Q000473:pathology; D018329:Nevus, Blue / Q000150:complications*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications*