title: Findings from CT, MRI, and PET/CT of a primary malignant melanoma arising in a spinal nerve root.
abstract: Primary spinal malignant melanoma is an extremely rare condition. We here describe a case of a 71-year-old Asian female presenting with left upper extremity tingling sensation. Computed tomography (CT) showed a homogeneously enhanced mass occupying the left neural foramen at the C6-7 level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed enhanced mass in intra- and extradural space compressing the spinal cord at this level. It also widened the neural foramen mimicking neurofibroma or schwannoma. Partial resection of the mass was performed. Pathologic diagnosis of the mass was malignant melanoma. Postoperative whole body positron emission tomography/CT scan demonstrated an intense (18)F-FDG uptake at the residual mass site without abnormal uptake at other sites in the body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University School of Medicine, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 411-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Nyoung Keun
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung Hoon
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoon Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Moon-Jun
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Sunhee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yong Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soon Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Hyeon Je
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed