[Primitive leptomeningeal malignant melanoma: a rare etiology of pachymeningitis and leptomeningitis]

Abstract

Introduction: Leptomeningitis and pachymeningitis are known to occur consecutive to many causes.

Observation: We report the case of a 24-year-old woman with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and repeated switching transient hemiparesis. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a pachyleptomeningitis. Search for a cause was negative. The pathology examination of meningeal tissue revealed a malignant melanoma, without any sign of cutaneous melanoma, leading to the diagnosis of primary leptomeningeal malignant melanoma.

Conclusion: A meningeal biopsy can enable the rare diagnosis of primary leptomeningeal malignant melanoma in a patient with unexplained pachyleptomeningitis.