A Case of Primary Intracranial Malignant Melanoma Mimicking a Traumatic Brain Contusion

Abstract

Primary intracranial malignant melanoma(PIMM)is a rare neoplasm of the central nervous system, accounting for 1% of cases of malignant melanomas and 0.1% of cases of brain tumors. Here, we report a case of PIMM that was initially considered to be a traumatic brain contusion. A 44-year-old man was transferred to a local hospital because of general tonic convulsion after falling while riding a bike. CT showed an irregular high-density area in the left temporal pole, which was diagnosed as a traumatic contusion. MRI performed 3 months after the initial episode revealed an enlarged temporal lesion with surrounding edema, suggestive of a neoplasm. The MRI showed the lesion as mixed signal intensity, suggesting both solid and cystic components. Subtotal resection was performed, except for the tumor adhering to the peripheral middle cerebral arteries(MCAs). The definitive diagnosis was made based on pathological findings and no evidence of extracranial lesions. Gamma knife surgery was performed for the remnant tumor adjacent to MCAs. The radiologically positive tumor chronologically regressed, and the patient remained progression-free for 18 months. Radiological findings of PIMM vary but typically include high density on CT and hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI. Close observation enabled early diagnosis based on the suspicion of a neoplasm according to atypical radiological findings. PIMM has a poor prognosis with an overall survival of 12.0 months without confirmative treatment. Gamma knife surgery might achieve suppression of this highly progressive tumor.