title: A case report of malignant melanoma of the sphenoid sinus.
abstract: Malignant melanoma of the sphenoid sinus is a very rare disease, and only 6 cases have previously been reported. The present case involved a 74-year-old woman who was examined for visual disturbance of the left eye. Computed tomography revealed a soft tissue shadow, but only mucosal hypertrophy was found on opening the sphenoid sinus under general anesthesia. One month postoperatively, visual disturbance of the right eye and paresis of cranial nerve III appeared. Malignant melanoma was diagnosed from biopsy. Multiple bone metastases were identified, but the patient declined active treatment. As a result, palliative care was provided and she died 3 months later. When there is no improvement in postoperative visual acuity as in this case, in consideration of the possibility of neoplastic lesions, rigorous followup including monitoring for neurological symptoms is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, 163 Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0998, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyoaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsukahara
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Motohashi
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato