An unusual case of tumor-to-cavernoma metastasis. A case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Metastases of systemic neoplasia to preexisting intracranial mass lesions are uncommon phenomena. Tumor-to-intracranial cavernoma metastases are even more unusual and rarely reported. We describe here a case of melanoma to intracranial cavernoma metastasis.


METHODS
A 39-year-old woman presented after an episode of generalized tonic-clonic seizure on a background of infrequent epilepsy. She was found to have a left parieto-occipital hemorrhagic lesion on imaging studies. The lesion was surgically removed and histopathology showed a metastatic melanoma within a cavernoma.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report represents the third recorded case of tumor-to-intracranial cavernoma metastasis and the first melanoma to intracranial cavernoma metastasis. An extensive literature review of tumor-to-intracranial tumor metastases was conducted and disclosed an increase in reporting of the uncommon phenomenon of metastasis into preexisting intracranial lesions. It should therefore be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with history of systemic cancer who present with progression of preexistent intracranial lesions.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.
Chow H Patrick
CH
Chan
Gavin C A
GC
Fabinyi
Renate M
RM
Kalnins
D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D003399:Craniotomy; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome