Primary intramedullary melanocytoma of the spinal cord: Case report

OBJECTIVE: The authors report 2 cases of primary intramedullary spinal melanocytomas in 2 patients who presented with lower extremity numbness and/or weakness. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, thoracic laminectomy, and histological examination revealed the diagnosis. TECHNIQUE: Microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the diagnosis of primary melanocytoma. CONCLUSION: Melanocytomas of the spine are rare lesions without distinctive imaging characteristics and pose a preoperative diagnostic challenge. A review of the relevant literature and clinical behavior of this uncommon tumor entity is provided.