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Intracranial Hemorrhage Associated with Intracranial Metastases from a Malignant Melanoma

Description

A patient with malignant melanoma metastatic to the brain may bleed into the metastases. Sometimes intracranial hemorrhage is the first indication of the tumor. The occurrence of spontaneous hemorrhage into a metastasis is associated with a worse prognosis.


 

Risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage associated with metastatic malignant melanoma:

(1) long airline flight

(2) large metastases

(3) anticoagulation or therapy with an antiplatelet drug

(4) head trauma

 

The patient often presents with a headache, which may have a sudden onset.

 

A tumor at the site of a cerebral hematoma may not always be seen on a non-contrast-enhanced CT or angiography. A contrast-enhanced CT or MRI is often needed to identify the lesion.

 


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