INTRACRANIAL MENINGEAL MELANOCYTOMA - CASE-REPORT

A case of meningeal melanocytoma of the left sphenoid wing is reported and the other nine cases in the literature are reviewed. Meningeal me lanocytoma is a benign melanotic tumor that derives from the melanocyt es of the leptomeninges and may occur anywhere in the cranial and spin al meninges. Electron microscopy well demonstrates melanin and melanos omes within the tumor cells. The immunohistochemical pattern of this t umor includes strong positivity for S-100 protein, vimentin, and antim elanoma antibody and negativity for epithelial membrane antigen, neuro n-specific enolase, cytokeratin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice, whereas radiothe rapy is usually unnecessary. In spite of the benign biologic behavior of meningeal melanocytoma, the prognosis remains uncertain, because of the possible local recurrences.