Case Report

Primary Meningeal Melanocytoma: A Rare Case Diagnosed on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Nalini Gupta, Adarsh Barwad, Arvind Rajwanshi and Pravin Salunke
World Journal of Medical and Surgical Case Reports 2013, 2:3

Abstract

Introduction

Primary meningeal melanocytoma is a benign central nervous system neoplasm derived from melanocytes. This mostly occurs within the posterior fossa, cerebellopontine angle and the pineal body.

Case Report

An 80-year-old male presented with headache and swelling over left temporal region since six months. Contrast enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) revealed a large lobulated enhancing soft tissue density mass lesion in the left temporal region with overlying bone erosion and destruction with soft tissue component in left temporal fossa. FNAC smears were highly cellular and showed tumor cells predominantly in syncytial clusters and dispersed forming vague whorls with interspersed cells containing abundant black melanin pigment. The individual cells exhibited minimal nuclear atypia, with round to oval nuclei and moderate to abundant cytoplasm with cytoplasmic projections. Cell block showed similar cytological features with prominent whorling and abundant melanin pigment. The diagnosis of pigmented melanocytoma was offered which was further supported by immunochemistry.

Conclusion

The present case is the first report of melanocytoma diagnosed on FNAC to the best of our knowledge. Detailed cytomorphological features and differential diagnosis of this rare entity are discussed.

Keywords

Fine needle aspiration cytology, Primary meningeal melanocytoma.

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