M A Arriaga1, W W Lo, D E Brackmann. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Wilford Hall Air Force Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Tex, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and imaging features of metastatic melanoma to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). DESIGN: A case series study with world literature review. SETTING: House Ear Clinic and St Vincent's Hospital, Los Angeles, Calif. PATIENTS: Three cases of metastatic CPA tumors operated on at the House Ear Clinic. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent surgical removal of CPA metastatic melanoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival and duration of disease-free interval are reported. RESULTS: Two patients died of melanoma within 5 months of diagnosis and resection of CPA melanoma metastases. One patient survived for 5 years after undergoing total resection of an isolated CPA melanoma metastasis. Magnetic resonance imaging features were not uniform. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic melanoma to the CPA should be suspected in patients with a history of melanoma and a rapid progression of audiovestibular or facial nerve symptoms. Surgical removal of solitary metastases to the CPA may be valuable in patients without other melanoma focus; however, the long-term prognosis for patients with CPA melanoma is grim.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and imaging features of metastatic melanoma to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). DESIGN: A case series study with world literature review. SETTING: House Ear Clinic and St Vincent's Hospital, Los Angeles, Calif. PATIENTS: Three cases of metastatic CPA tumors operated on at the House Ear Clinic. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent surgical removal of CPA metastatic melanoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival and duration of disease-free interval are reported. RESULTS: Two patients died of melanoma within 5 months of diagnosis and resection of CPA melanoma metastases. One patient survived for 5 years after undergoing total resection of an isolated CPA melanoma metastasis. Magnetic resonance imaging features were not uniform. CONCLUSIONS:Metastatic melanoma to the CPA should be suspected in patients with a history of melanoma and a rapid progression of audiovestibular or facial nerve symptoms. Surgical removal of solitary metastases to the CPA may be valuable in patients without other melanoma focus; however, the long-term prognosis for patients with CPA melanoma is grim.
Authors: Rachel E Roditi; Priya Kesarwani; Eric M Barker; Gabrielle A Yeaney; Kevin A Walter; Benjamin T Crane Journal: Otol Neurotol Date: 2012-12 Impact factor: 2.311