title: Aggressive intramedullary melanotic schwannoma: case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intramedullary melanotic schwannomas are very rare lesions; only four cases have been reported previously. We describe a patient with an intramedullary melanotic schwannoma that had a more aggressive course than those reported in the literature, and we review the theories regarding the cause of these lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 35-year-old man presented with neck stiffness and paraesthesia extending down his right arm upon neck extension. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an intramedullary lesion extending from C4 to C5.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gross total resection of the mass was performed, and pathological characteristics were consistent with a melanotic schwannoma. Two years after resection the tumor recurred, and the patient was treated with radiation therapy. The tumor progressed 2 years after radiotherapy, and at repeat resection, multiple pigmented foci were present on the surface of the spinal cord and dura consistent with metastatic seeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a patient with intramedullary melanotic schwannoma with an unusually aggressive course, careful follow-up may be essential.
authors.affiliation: Brain Tumor Research Center, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santaguida
authors.forename: Abdulrahman J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sabbagh
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Guiot
authors.forename: Rolando F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Del Maestro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000473:pathology; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*