Melanotic meningioma
Updates to Article Attributes
Melanotic meningioma (also known as meningeal melanocytoma) is a rare histological variant of WHO grade I (benign) meningioma.
Epidemiology
As only several dozen cases have been reported in the literature, no significant prevalence difference was found between gender or age groups.
Pathology
Melanotic meningiomas arise from leptomeningeal melanocytes, a small pigment cells found mostly in the meninges covering the ventrolateral surfaces of the medulla oblongata, posterior fossa or Meckel cave 1,2.
Radiographic features
Given the small number of reported cases it is difficult to determine the most characteristic appearance.
CT
These tumours are most commonly isodense to grey matter, with variable enhancement 2.
MRI
Different signal intensities are probably correlated with the amount of melanin in the pigment cells. Possible causes of low signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences include decreased water content, paramagnetism, susceptibility effects or hemorrhage 5.
-
T1: iso- or
hiperintensehyperintense 1,4 -
T2:
hipohypo- orhiperintensehyperintense - T1 C+: homogenous enhancement
Treatment and prognosis
Similarly to other meningiomas the treatment or melanotic meningiomas is usually surgical excision, with complete tumor removal being the best therapeutic option (in terms of disease-free survival) 3.
-<p><strong>Melanotic meningioma </strong>(also known as<strong> meningeal melanocytoma</strong>) is a rare histological variant of WHO grade I (benign) <a href="/articles/meningioma">meningioma</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>As only several dozen cases have been reported in the literature, no significant prevalence difference was found between gender or age groups.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Melanotic meningiomas arise from leptomeningeal melanocytes, a small pigment cells found mostly in the meninges covering the ventrolateral surfaces of the medulla oblongata, posterior fossa or <a href="/articles/meckels-cave-2">Meckel cave</a> <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Given the small number of reported cases it is difficult to determine the most characteristic appearance.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>These tumours are most commonly isodense to grey matter, with variable enhancement <sup>2</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Different signal intensities are probably correlated with the amount of melanin in the pigment cells. Possible causes of low signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences include decreased water content, paramagnetism, susceptibility effects or hemorrhage <sup>5</sup>. </p><ul>- +<p><strong>Melanotic meningioma </strong>(also known as<strong> meningeal melanocytoma</strong>) is a rare histological variant of WHO grade I (benign) <a href="/articles/meningioma">meningioma</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>As only several dozen cases have been reported in the literature, no significant prevalence difference was found between gender or age groups.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Melanotic meningiomas arise from leptomeningeal melanocytes, a small pigment cells found mostly in the meninges covering the ventrolateral surfaces of the medulla oblongata, posterior fossa or <a href="/articles/meckel-cave-1">Meckel cave</a> <sup>1,2</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Given the small number of reported cases it is difficult to determine the most characteristic appearance.</p><h5>CT</h5><p>These tumours are most commonly isodense to grey matter, with variable enhancement <sup>2</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Different signal intensities are probably correlated with the amount of melanin in the pigment cells. Possible causes of low signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences include decreased water content, paramagnetism, susceptibility effects or hemorrhage <sup>5</sup>. </p><ul>
-<strong>T1: </strong>iso- or hiperintense<sup> 1,4</sup>- +<strong>T1: </strong>iso- or hyperintense<sup> 1,4</sup>
-<strong>T2:</strong> hipo- or hiperintense</li>- +<strong>T2:</strong> hypo- or hyperintense</li>
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.