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Magnetic resonance imaging features and clinical course of malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumors: single institution experience over two decades. Skeletal Radiol 2023; 52:205-214. [PMID: 36069993 DOI: 10.1007/s00256-022-04171-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate MR features and clinical course of malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor (MMNST), previously known as melanotic schwannoma and considered indolent and rarely metastasizing. MATERIALS AND METHODS This IRB-approved retrospective study searched 31 patients (20 male: 11 female, mean age 48; range 15-76) with histologically confirmed MMNST in a single tertiary cancer center over 22 years. Pre-treatment MR was available in 12 patients and evaluated by two radiologists in consensus regarding lesion location, size, morphology, signal characteristics, contrast enhancement, local invasion, and presence of classic signs of peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Clinical outcomes, including local recurrence, metastasis, and survival, were examined in 12 patients for whom follow-up was available. RESULTS The spine was the most frequent site (13/31) among all identified cases. In 12 cases with MR, lesions were well-circumscribed in 11/12 cases, with a mean size of 4.5 cm (2.3-13.0 cm). Ten of 12 cases showed T1 hyperintensity. In 5/9 spinal MRI, tumor involved multiple levels. All lesions showed contrast enhancement, and local bone invasion in > 50%. A dumb-bell shape was common to all spinal lesions. Classical signs of nerve sheath tumors were uncommon. Among 12 patients with a mean follow-up of 4.8 years (range 1.3-10.2 years), six were disease-free, while two had recurrence or metastases, and four had died of metastases. CONCLUSION MMNST usually presents as a T1 hyperintense enhancing dumb-bell shaped mass in the spine. Multi-level involvement and bone invasion are common. MMNST is clinically aggressive with high rates of metastases and death.
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Wang H, Shi L, Tian T, Xian H, Song Z, Cong R, Zhao R. Case report: A rare case of massive peripheral nerve melanotic schwannoma and review of the literature. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1103604. [PMID: 36779049 PMCID: PMC9909008 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1103604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanotic schwannoma is a rare tumor with indeterminate biologic behavior and varying treatment recommendations. Just about 200 cases have been reported worldwide, in which occurred in peripheral nerves has even less reported. Due to the lack of cognition of melanotic schwannoma, it is easy to be misdiagnosed and mistreatment in primary hospitals. Herein, we presented a case of massive melanotic schwannoma growing in the brachial plexus of an elderly male patient. First, the patient underwent a left forearm tumor resection in the local primary hospital because a painless lump was found there in 2017, of which details remain unclear. After this operation, the patient developed the symptoms of left median nerve injury. Thus, he came to our hospital and underwent a second operation. During this operation, we found that a part of the median nerve was absent at the left forearm, and the remanent median nerve, from the broken end to the elbow, was totally turned black, which was accompanied by petroleum-like exudate. Losing the opportunity for nerve repair, the black nerve was removed extensively and thoroughly. Postoperative pathological diagnosis revealed that the tumor was melanotic schwannoma. Then 4 years later, the tumor recurrence again, which led to the paralysis of the whole left arm and severe nerve pain, and the pulmonary metastasis of the tumor was detected at the same time. The black nerve was resected again in our hospital, and the nerve pain was partially relieved after the operation. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to report a melanotic schwannoma case that happened in the peripheral nerve trunk and then spread to the whole brachial plexus. There were many questions that worthy of discussion could be invited from this case, and we analyzed and discussed them based on the relevant literature. In conclusion, we reported a rare case of melanotic schwannoma that happened in the brachial plexus and illustrated the problems of the diagnosis and treatment of it based on the analysis of the relevant literature, which is helpful for the cognition of this rare nerve tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tong Tian
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hang Xian
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhao Song
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Cong
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China,*Correspondence: Rui Cong
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China,Rui Zhao
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Bonomo G, Gans A, Mazzapicchi E, Rubiu E, Alimonti P, Eoli M, Paterra R, Pollo B, Iess G, Restelli F, Falco J, Acerbi F, Schiariti MP, Ferroli P, Broggi M. Sporadic spinal psammomatous malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor: A case report and literature review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1100532. [PMID: 36910634 PMCID: PMC9998981 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1100532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sporadic Spinal Psammomatous Malignant Melanotic Nerve Sheath Tumor (SSP-MMNST) is a rare subgroup of peripheral nerve sheath tumors arising along the spine. Only a few reports of SSP-MMNST have been described. In this paper, we review the literature on SSP-MMNST focusing on clinical, and diagnostic features, as well as investigating possible pathogenetic mechanisms to better implement therapeutic strategies. We also report an illustrative case of a young female presenting with cervicobrachial pain due to two SSP-MMNSTs arising from C5-6 right spinal roots. Case description We report a case of a 28-year-old woman presenting with right arm weakness and dysesthesia. Clinical examination and neuroimaging were performed, and, following surgical removal of both lesions, a histological diagnosis of SSP-MMNST was obtained. Results The literature review identified 21 eligible studies assessing 23 patients with SSP-MMNST, with a mean onset age of 41 years and a slight male gender preference. The lumbar district was the most involved spinal segment. Gross-total resection (GTR) was the treatment of choice in all amenable cases, followed in selected cases with residual tumor by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The metastatic and recurrence rates were 31.58% and 36.8%, respectively. Conclusion Differently from common schwannomas, MMNST represents a rare disease with known recurrence and metastatization propensity. As reported in our review, SSP-MMNST has a greater recurrence rate when compared to other forms of spinal MMNST, raising questions about the greater aggressiveness of the former. We also found that residual disease is related to a higher risk of systemic disease spreading. This metastatic potential, usually associated with primary lumbar localization, is characterized by a slight male prevalence. Indeed, whenever GTR is unachievable, considering the higher recurrence rate, adjuvant radiation therapy should be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Bonomo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Policlinico "G. Rodolico-S. Marco" University Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gans
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Mazzapicchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Rubiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marica Eoli
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosina Paterra
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Bianca Pollo
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Iess
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Restelli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Falco
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Acerbi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Paolo Schiariti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Ferroli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Morgan Broggi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
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Benson JC, Marais MD, Flanigan PM, Bydon M, Giannini C, Spinner RJ, Folpe AL. Malignant Melanotic Nerve Sheath Tumor. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2022; 43:1696-1699. [PMID: 36302602 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumors are uncommon pigmented tumors of Schwann cell origin, most often found along the spinal nerves. Although well-described in the literature, the tumors are quite rare, making up <1% of nerve sheath tumors. Physicians are, therefore, often unfamiliar with both the appearance and the optimal treatment of such tumors. Morphologically, many imaging features overlap with schwannomas and neurofibromas. Nevertheless, the malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumors are crucial to identify. They can be extremely aggressive, and the management of these tumors is considerably different from their benign counterparts. In this radiology-pathology review, we will highlight the imaging appearance, histologic features, surgical resection, and subsequent therapeutic strategies in a patient with a lumbar malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Benson
- From the Department of Radiology (J.C.B., M.D.M.)
| | - M D Marais
- From the Department of Radiology (J.C.B., M.D.M.)
| | | | - M Bydon
- Neurologic Surgery (P.M.F., M.B.)
| | - C Giannini
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (C.G., R.J.S., A.L.F.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - R J Spinner
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (C.G., R.J.S., A.L.F.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - A L Folpe
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (C.G., R.J.S., A.L.F.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Lin KY, Chen L, Hung SW, Hung SC, Yang CK, Chen CJ, Chiu KY. A para-aortic malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor mimicking a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a rare case report and review of literature. BMC Surg 2022; 22:293. [PMID: 35902891 PMCID: PMC9331146 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-022-01727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor (MMNST), formerly called melanotic schwannoma, is a rare tumor of neural crest derivation which most frequently arises from the region of spinal or autonomic nerves near the midline. Recent studies have reported malignant behavior of MMNST, and there still has no standard management guidelines. Intra-abdominal MMNST, which has never been reviewed as an entity, is even rarer. In this study, we present a rare case of a cystic MMNST arising from the para-aortic region and mimicking an intra-abdominal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and review the literature regarding MMNSTs located in the abdominal cavity. Case presentation A 59-year-old female was incidentally found a tumor located in the left para-aortic area by non-contrast computed tomography. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed a cystic mass originated from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) territory. A GIST was initially diagnosed. The tumor was resected en bloc by laparoscopic surgery and was found between mesocolon and Gerota’s fascia with blood supply of IMA. Grossly, dark brown materials were noted at the inner surface of the cystic wall. Microscopically, the tumor cells were melanin-containing, and no psammomatous bodies were present. Immunohistochemically, the tumor showed positivity for MART1, HMB45, collagen IV, and SOX10, and negativity for AE1/AE3. MMNST was favored over malignant melanoma, since the tumor was located near ganglia and had cells with less atypical cytology and a low mitotic rate, and subsequent adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. The patient was alive with no evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease 11 months after radiotherapy. Conclusions Our review of abdominal MMNST cases showed a female predominance, with an average age of 54.8 years, and a trend toward being a larger tumor showing cystic or necrotic changes. Local recurrence and metastasis rate were reviewed, and both showed a low rate. Diagnosis of MMNST should combine all the available findings, and complete excision of the tumor should be performed, followed by long-term patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Yu Lin
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Lujen Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taichung Veternas General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Siu-Wan Hung
- Interventional Radiology, Radiology Department, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,School of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Sheng-Chun Hung
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Cheng-Kuang Yang
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chih-Jung Chen
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taichung Veternas General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Kun-Yuan Chiu
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chi Nan University, Nantou, Taiwan, R.O.C..
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