Abstract

Melanotic Schwannoma (MS) is a variant of Schwannoma considered to be rare, characterized by a structure of variably melanin-producing Schwann cells, usually arising from posterior spinal nerve roots. Even though it’s a relatively benign tumor, malignancy and metastases have been reported. They occur as isolated tumors or take part in the Carney Complex (CC) syndrome. Imaging by the MRI is essential, finding a lesion that is hyperintense in T1 and hypointense in T2. The therapeutic care is mainly surgical by total resection and the adjuvant therapy has yet to prove its efficiency.

Here we report our case of Melanotic Schwannoma located next to L5-S1, and how we did manage it, after a review of the literature.

Keywords: Spine; Melanotic Schwannoma; Posterior spinal nerve; Malignancy