Meningioma

Predominantly benign tumour of the meninges occurring at both cranial and spinal sites.

Produces symptoms from local mass effect due to compression of neural structures or may present with seizure.

Diagnosis confirmed by the characteristic appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with and without contrast enhancement.

Asymptomatic lesions may be followed up with serial observation.

Treatment of symptomatic meningioma is usually surgical resection, although, in some cases, local radiotherapy is used as primary treatment.

Radiation therapy considered as adjuvant treatment for grade III meningiomas and in some cases grade II lesions.

Meningiomas are one of the most common primary tumours of the cranial and spinal compartments. Estimates indicate that they represent over 36% of primary brain tumours and 53.5% of all non-malignant tumours. [1] Ostrom QT, Gittleman H, Farah P, et al. CBTRUS statistical report: Primary brain and central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2006-2010. Neuro Oncol. 2013;15(suppl 2):ii1-ii56. [Erratum in: Neuro Oncol. 2014;16:760.] http://neuro-oncology.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/suppl_2/ii1.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24137015?tool=bestpractice.com They are more frequent in women and are usually benign. They are sometimes atypical or malignant in nature.