Primary cervical meningeal melanocytoma with a dumbbell shape: Case report and review of the literature

Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign pigmented tumor originat from leptomeningeal melanocytes. Here, we report the case of a female who presented with numbness and weakness of the limbs for approximately 6 months. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report the case of a 60-year-old Chinese female who presented with numbness and weakness of the limbs for approximately 6 months. computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a dumbbell-shaped tumor inside and outside the cervical (C) spinal canal. DIAGNOSES: The patient was using CT and MRI. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgery, and low-grade melanocytoma was diagnosed pathologically. INTERVENTIONS: Subsequently, the patient underwent a surgery, and the tumor was completely removed. OUTCOMES: The tumor did not recur after 6 months. CONCLUSION: This case suggested 2 “take-away” lessons: first, spinal meningeal melanocytomas may be dumbbell-shaped; and second, melanocytoma could appear as hyperintense, isointense, or hypointense on T2-weighted MRI.