[An autopsy case of primary intracranial melanoma associated with dermoid cyst (author's transl)].

Primary malignant melanoma of the cerebral nervous system is an uncommon entity. A case of primary intracranial melanoma associated with dermoid cyst is reported. The patient was a 40-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital on May 2, 1979 complaining of headache, double vision, left hemiparesis and Jacksonian seizure. On admission he had a slight degree of papilledema. Left abdominal reflex was absent. Lumbar puncture showed high pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid which was otherwise normal. Plain skull films showed a calcification in the pineal region. CT scan demonstrated multiple high density areas with slight enhancement after contrast medium infusion in the right fronto-parietal region and a well defined high density area associated with an irregular low density area without contrast enhancement in the right pulvinar and the atrium and temporal horn of the right lateral ventricle. However, no tumor stain was seen on angiograms. On May 8, 1979 partial removal of the tumor was performed. Areas of black discoloration were seen in the leptomeninges of the right fronto-parietal lobes. Histopathological examination of this tumor revealed primary intracranial melanoma. Postoperatively DTIC, ACNU and Vincristine were administered intravenously but the tumor showed only little sensitivity. He died 5 months after operation. Autopsy was performed on October 8, 1979. Malignant melanoma in the right fronto-parietal lobes was invading the cerebellar hemisphere and spinal cord, but any tumor was not found in any other parts of the body except for this central nervous system. The tumor in the right pulvinar extending to the atrium and temporal horn of the right lateral ventricle was a dermoid cyst with calcification histopathologically. A case of primary intracranial melanoma associated with dermoid cyst has not been reported in any other associated with dermoid cyst has not been reported in any other literature yet.