gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Extracranial meningioma might be primary (ectopic), without any connection to the cranial cavity or it might be secondary as an extracranial extension of intracranial tumor.

The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical presentation and results of treatment of secondary extracranial meningioma.

Material and methods: The group included 4 patients with the tumor of the nasal cavity and sinuses, and 7 patients with the tumor involving the infratemporal fossa. Patient notes were reviewed to collect required data. Apart from one case all the patients were operated first in a Department of Neurosurgery 6months – 13 years before presentation to our institution. CT and/or MRI were performed and the radiograms well demonstrated location and extension of the tumor. For nasal and sinus tumors endonasal or sublabial approach was used. In a patient with infratemporal fossa, orbit and sphenoid sinus tumor sublabial transantral removal was performed. Other meningiomas invading the infratemporal space from the middle cranial fossa were removed via infratemporal fossa approach.

Results: Two patients with massive cavernous sinus involvement died 7 and 11 years after the first surgery. Other patients are alive without disease.

Conclusion: Imaging radiography well demonstrates extension of extracranial meningioma. Results of treatment are good providing there is no massive invasion of the cavernous sinus.