Abstract
A case of intramedullary melanotic schwannoma located at the D2-D3 level is described. The lesion occurred in a 44 yr-old-woman with a ten year history of weakness and sensory numbness in both legs and feet. At surgery, the lesion appeared as a well-demarcated grey-brown intramedullary mass. Histologically, it was composed of interlacing bundles of spindle cells showing their cytoplasm filled with melanin. Intramedullary melanotic schwannomas are rare tumors which have been reported only in two previous instances, to our knowledge. These tumours are thought to arise from small myelinated fibres that accompany blood vessels into the parenchyma. Melanotic schwannoma shows peculiar features at MRI since it appears well-demarcated, iso-hyperintense on T1-weighted and hypointense on T2-weighted images. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of the lesion are described.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 249-252 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Rivista di Neuroradiologia |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Clinical Neurology
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology