Anterior Herniation of Partially Calcified and Degenerated Cervical Disc Causing Dysphagia

We report a rare case of anterior cervical disc herniation associated with dysphagia. A 32-year-old man presented with complaints of dysphagia and concomitant pain in the right arm resistant to conservative therapy. On physical examination with respect to the muscle strength, the right shoulder abduction and flexion of the forearm were 3/5. Lateral X-ray revealed calcified osteophytes at the anterior C4-5 level. Magnetic resonance imaging showed soft disc herniation involving the right C6 root at the C5-6 level and anterior herniation of the C4-5 cervical disc. Anterior discectomies for C4-5 and C5-6 levels stabilized and ameliorated the dysphagia and pain. Cervical disc herniation usually presents with radicular findings. However, dysphagia may be an uncommon presentation. Anterior cervical disc herniation should be considered in a patient presenting with dysphagia.

An Uncommon Intramedullary Tumor: Primary Spinal Cord Melanoma

A 47-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of progressive weakness in the lower extremities and pain in the back and left leg. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a spinal intramedullary tumor between the T9 and L1 levels, which were iso- to hypointense on T2 and slightly hyperintense on T1-weighted images. The tumor was resected as total, and the diagnosis was malignant melanoma confirmed with histopathology. Neurological findings improved at the postoperative period and no residual or recurrence was noted on postoperative MRI at the 9-month follow-up. Primary melanoma of the spinal cord, particularly intramedullar localization, is seldomly reported in the literature. We report a primary malignant melanoma of the spinal cord and emphasize the diagnostic and prognostic challenges.

An Uncommon Intramedullary Tumor: Primary Spinal Cord Melanoma

A 47-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of progressive weakness in the lower extremities and pain in the back and left leg. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a spinal intramedullary tumor between the T9 and L1 levels, which were iso- to hypointense on T2 and slightly hyperintense on T1-weighted images. The tumor was resected as total, and the diagnosis was malignant melanoma confirmed with histopathology. Neurological findings improved at the postoperative period and no residual or recurrence was noted on postoperative MRI at the 9-month follow-up. Primary melanoma of the spinal cord, particularly intramedullar localization, is seldomly reported in the literature. We report a primary malignant melanoma of the spinal cord and emphasize the diagnostic and prognostic challenges.