PMC4835629_01
Preoperative sagittal MRI shows the spinal cord tumor at the level of the conus medullaris (arrow). T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium shows high signal intensity relative to that of the cord (a) and T2-weighted MRI shows inhomogenous hypointensive signal (b). Four weeks' follow-up sagittal T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium (c) and T2-weighted MRI (d) and 28 weeks' follow-up T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium (e) and T2-weighted MRI (f) show the residual tumor (arrow).
CRIONM2016-3815280.001.jpg
PMC4835629_01_CRIONM2016-3815280.001.jpg
fig1
It was hyperintense on gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted images (Figure 1(a)) and inhomogenous and hypointensive on T2-weighted images (Figure 1(b)). Due to diffuse tumoral infiltration and probable severe postoperative deficits the tumor was incompletely removed with decompression of the neurologic structures (Figures 1(c) and 1(d)).
Illustration of the histology (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (HMB-45) of the investigated tumor. Tumor cells are polygonal with prominent nucleoli and partially pigmented (H&E). Tumor cells express the melanoma specific protein HMB-45. Tumor cells were also positive for MELAN-A and S-100 (not shown). Scale bars represent 100 mum; magnification x400 each.
CRIONM2016-3815280.002.jpg
PMC4835629_01_CRIONM2016-3815280.002.jpg
fig2
They were positive for Melan-A with a mib-labeling index ranging from 5% to 10%.  Figure 2 illustrates histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the investigated tumor.