Neurocutaneous Melanosis in an Adult Patient with Intracranial Primary Malignant Melanoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND: To explore the clinical characteristics of neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) in adult patients to help improve diagnosis and treatment of this disease, we present a rare case of an adult patient suffering from NCM with malignant melanoma, as well as a review of the relevant Chinese and English literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient reported here plus the patients identified in our literature review total 30 adults with NCM (20 males [66.7%] and 10 females [33.3%]), age 19e65 years (average, 27.9 years). These include 24 cases of malignant melanoma (80.0%), 3 cases of melanocytoma (10.0%), 2 cases of diffuse melanocytosis (6.7%), and 1 case of unknown pathology (3.3%). Satellite nevi were reported in 25 cases (83.3%) and in 5 cases their presence was unknown (16.7%). Intracranial lesions were present in 28 cases (93.3%), and intraspinal lesions were present in 2 cases (6.7%). There are 4 cases of combined hydrocephalus (13.3%), and 2 cases of combined DandyeWalker deformity (6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: NCM is a rare disease, especially in adults. With the onset of symptoms, the diagnosis is generally confirmed. In children with congenital giant nevus, regular periodic surveys of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) with magnetic resonance imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis should be performed to diagnose NCM. Active treatment should be undertaken to improve the prognosis.