title: Melanotic schwannoma: an 11-year case series.
abstract: Melanotic or melanocytic schwannoma is a rare tumour usually involving spinal nerve roots but can also present at other anatomical locations. Although there are less than 200 cases reported, melanotic schwannomas can have distinctive imaging features but there is limited recent literature on its often characteristic radiological appearances. Recent publication of the largest case series thus far has suggested melanotic schwannoma to be a separate entity to other schwannomata and that its reclassification to a malignant lesion be under consideration. We present a case series over an 11-year period to highlight salient imaging features with reference to the current concerns regarding its malignant potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK. michael.khoo@rnoh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pressney
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Rikin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hargunani
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tirabosco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000473:pathology*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Carney complex; Malignant potential; Melanin; Melanotic schwannoma; Peripheral nerve sheath tumour; Psammomatous melanotic schwannoma; Sarcoma; Schwannoma