Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: a molecular approach to diagnosis. Case report.

A case of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy arising from the transverse sinus is presented. The tumor was located on the outer surface of the dura and extended extracranially through the occipitomastoid suture. Two cell populations were observed: pigmented melanocyte-like cells and small neuroblast-like cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed epithelial tumor cells and melanosomes at various stages. Expression of melanotransferrin messenger RNA transcripts within the tumor tissue was observed using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method in addition to immunohistological studies. The positive expression of melanotransferrin confirmed that this melanotic neuroectodermal tumor was derived from neural crest cells.