An unusual case of metastatic melanoma in subcutaneous tissue presenting as a solitary cystic mass with fluid levels.
Cubitt, Catherine Ariyaratne, Sisith Vaiyapuri, Sumathi Kurisunkal, Vineet Botchu, Rajesh
Cubitt, Catherine
Ariyaratne, Sisith
Vaiyapuri, Sumathi
Kurisunkal, Vineet
Botchu, Rajesh
Citations
Altmetric:
Affiliation
Other Contributors
Publication date
2024-02-24
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a common and often aggressive neoplasm of the skin arising from melanocytes. Metastatic melanoma is known for its diverse clinical manifestations, and can present with atypical features prior to diagnosis of the primary lesion, which can pose a diagnostic challenge. We report a rare case of metastatic melanoma in a 67 year-old male who presented with a painless, enlarging mass in the right axilla over a 4 week period. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a well-defined solitary, cystic appearing lesion in the right axilla with a distinct fluid-fluid level. An ultrasound guided biopsy of the lesion diagnosed a metastatic melanoma. While haemorrhagic distant metastases are a well-recognised complication of malignant melanoma, particularly in the brain and lung, soft tissue metastases presenting with fluid-fluid levels is not well described in the literature. The case highlights the importance of considering the differential of melanoma metastasis when encountered with such a lesion and importance of ultrasound guided biopsy for histopathological confirmation, as the imaging features can mimic that of a haemorrhagic soft tissue sarcoma, the management of which differs substantially from that of melanoma.
Keywords: Fluid level; Magnetic resonance imaging; Melanoma metastasis; Soft tissue mass; Ultrasound.
Citation
Cubitt C, Ariyaratne S, Vaiyapuri S, Kurisunkal V, Botchu R. An unusual case of metastatic melanoma in subcutaneous tissue presenting as a solitary cystic mass with fluid levels. J Ultrasound. 2024 Dec;27(4):907-910. doi: 10.1007/s40477-023-00864-7. Epub 2024 Feb 24.
Type
Article