gms | German Medical Science

56. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)
3èmes journées françaises de Neurochirurgie (SFNC)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V.
Société Française de Neurochirurgie

07. bis 11.05.2005, Strasbourg

Immunohistochemical findings and evaluation of mast cell infiltration in secretory meningioma

Immunohistochemie und Auswertung von Mastzell-Infiltration bei sekretorischen Meningeomen

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author W. Tirakotai - Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University, Marburg
  • T. Riegel - Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University, Marburg
  • M. Schulte - Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University, Marburg
  • D. Hellwig - Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University, Marburg
  • H.-D. Mennel - Department of Neuropathology, Philipps University, Marburg
  • I. Celik - Institute of Theoretical Surgery, Philipps University, Marburg
  • H. Bertalanffy - Department of Neurosurgery, Philipps University, Marburg

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Société Française de Neurochirurgie. 56. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), 3èmes journées françaises de Neurochirurgie (SFNC). Strasbourg, 07.-11.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc11.05.-11.03

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2005/05dgnc0229.shtml

Published: May 4, 2005

© 2005 Tirakotai et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

Secretory meningiomas constitute a relatively rare subtype of meningiomas. This study aimed to obtain more information about the immunohistochemical characteristics of this histological entity and to analyse the effects of histological factors such as the presence of mast cells on the radiological evidence of surrounding tumour edema which frequently occurred in this subtype of meningioma.

Methods

Fourteen cases of secretory meningiomas were examined. Relevant clinical information was obtained from the patient files. The peritumoural edema was determined either by CT or MRI scans and graded as small, moderate and severe. In order to perform the quantitative evaluation of mast cells in secretory meningiomas in a comparison with other meningiomas, fourteen non-secretory meningiomas were randomly selected and used as control group. The surgical specimens were processed using the routine staining and immunohistochemistry.

Results

The immunohistochemical staining of carcinoembryonic antigen was positive within the secretory droplets and the cells surrounding them in all cases. Ki 67 (MIB 1) proliferative index mean values were 2.4%, indicating a low expression in all secretory meningiomas. Moreover, from our statistical analysis there is no clear-cut pattern of various types of cytokeratins emerging in secretory meningiomas. The secretory meningiomas were characterised by a significantly increased amount of mast cells, as compared to non-secretory meningiomas of different grades.

Conclusions

Secretory meningiomas are often associated with severe peritumoral edema causing signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. So far, the initial step inducing peritumoral edema cannot be demonstrated. Many histological findings such as increased numbers of mast cells as found in our study, and pericytic proliferation might be involved in the pathophysiological process of this vasogenic brain edema. Demonstration of mediators in the tumour tissue might define the role of mast cells and provide more information about the nature of this particular type of meningiomas.