Neurocutaneous melanosis associated with inferior vermian hypoplasia: MR findings

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1993 Sep-Oct;17(5):691-5. doi: 10.1097/00004728-199309000-00004.

Abstract

Objective: We describe the MR findings of two cases of neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) associated with inferior vermian hypoplasia (IVH).

Materials and methods: Two cases of NCM associated with IVH are presented. Both patients had congenital giant hairy nevi and multiple satellite lesions.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed IVH as well as hyperintensities in the pons and the cerebellar leptomeninges on T1-weighted images. The hyperintensities may be ascribed to the T1-shortening effect of melanin. A right parietal tumor in one patient and unilateral ventriculomegaly in another patient were also depicted.

Conclusions: Magnetic resonance demonstration of the T1-shortening leptomeningeal infiltrations adds weight to the diagnosis of NCM. The implication of the concurrence of NCM and IVH is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Cerebellum / abnormalities*
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / complications
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanosis / complications*
  • Melanosis / pathology
  • Nevus, Pigmented / complications*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / complications*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology