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Melanin Containing Neurofibroma: Case Report with evidence of Schwann Cell Origin of Melanin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Brian Anderson  and
David M. Robertson
Brian Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
David M. Robertson*
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
*
Department of Pathology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
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Summary

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This case report describes a melanin-containing neurofibroma involving a spinal nerve root. Electron microscopy of the tumor shows that neoplastic Schwann cells are capable of melanogene-sis. Although this capability is suggested in the literature, few reports provide ultra-structural confirmation.

The likely identity between reported “cellular blue nevi of spinal nerve roots” and nerve sheath tumors is discussed. It is possible that pigmented nerve sheath tumors behave more aggressively than nonpigmented ones, although it is debatable.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , May 1979 , pp. 139 - 143
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1979

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