Keywords:
Head and neck, Neuroradiology brain, Oncology, MR, Staging, Cancer
Authors:
L. Kerr, R. White, T. White, T. Nguyen, M. Sampson
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2022/R-0047
Results
31 cases were analysed with a mean age of 57, and male predominance (64%). 51% of cases involved desmoplastic melanoma (16/31), 22% unclear subtype (7/31), 10% lentigo maligna melanoma (3/31), 6% nodular melanoma (2/31), 6% spindle cell melanoma (2/31), 3% superficial spreading (1/31), 3% primary neurotropic melanoma (1/31). The trigeminal nerve was the most commonly involved nerve (64%). Facial paraesthesia (45%) and trigeminal neuralgia (45%) were the most common presenting features of perineural spread. Imaging findings included an enhancing and enlarged nerve with enhancing or enlarged neural foramina, and involvement of the cavernous sinus and/or Meckels cave. 87% of cases had been previously treated, 22% of which had been reported as completely excised with clear resection margins. There was a 26% mortality rate.