Primary leptomeningeal melanoma.
METHODS
A retrospective review of a case of primary leptomeningeal melanoma.


OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Schneider
Frank
F
Department of Orthopaedics, Charite University Hospital, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. frank.schneider@charite.de
Putzier
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary