Cutaneous psammomatous melanotic schwannoma: non-recurrence with surgical excision.

BACKGROUND: Melanotic schwannoma is a pigmented nerve tumor that may be located in the skin and express local aggressivity. This tumor may occur singly. It may also be part of the Carney complex which consists of various, but specific, tumors. OBJECTIVE: We report two cases of subcutaneous melanotic schwannoma localized on the trunk in two men aged 37 and 45 years. METHODS: Conventional histology and immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS: One melanotic schwannoma was associated with a cutaneous atypical myxoma and multiple melanocytic lesions, all being part of the Carney complex. The other case had no associated signs. In both cases, the melanotic schwannoma was completely excised and did not recur. CONCLUSION: Melanotic schwannoma is rare and curable by surgery. It must not be confused with malignant melanoma and other pigmented neoplasms. The Carney complex should be carefully ruled out.