Case report
Metastatic melanoma of the gallbladder

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compmedimag.2007.03.005Get rights and content

Abstract

We report the findings of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging analysis of metastatic melanoma of the gallbladder in a 36-year-old woman. MR imaging revealed that the gallbladder wall was diffusely thickened, and the tumor showed slightly high-intensity on T1-weighted images. The apparent diffusion coefficient value of the tumor was 0.69 × 10−3 mm2/s, indicating high cellularity. Surgical specimens revealed that the tumor was a metastatic melanoma showing medullary growth with intratumoral hemorrhaging. These MR findings are helpful for preoperative diagnosis.

Section snippets

Case report

A 36-year-old woman was initially admitted to our hospital for treatment of a cutaneous malignant melanoma on the right back. She underwent tumor resection. Seven months after the surgery, right axillary lymph nodes metastases appeared. She was readmitted and underwent resection of the affected lymph nodes and chemotherapy. Her clinical evaluation indicated a complete response 10 months after the treatment, and she was discharged. Seven months after the second discharge, she was admitted again

Discussion

In a previous autopsy series of patients with malignant melanoma, it was reported that 15% of the cases featured metastasis to the gallbladder [1]. The malignant melanoma thus accounts for approximately 50–65% of the metastatic tumors involving the gallbladder [1], [3]. Other metastatic tumors of the gallbladder which have been reported are from renal cell carcinoma [4], lung cancer [5], and breast cancer [6].

Secondary tumor hematogenously metastasizing to the gallbladder initially generates

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    Citation Excerpt :

    In a previous autopsy series of patients with malignant melanoma, it was reported that 15% of the cases featured metastases to the gallbladder.31 On CT and US, metastatic melanoma can manifest as focal thickening of the gallbladder wall, a submucosal mass, or as single or multiple irregular polypoid intraluminal masses.32,33 In cases of involvement of the bile ducts, US and CT may show bile duct dilation and intraluminal mural masses.34,35

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