Huge extracranial asymptomatic frontal invasive meningioma: a case report

Abstract

Meningioma is a well-recognized tumor of the central nervous system, but it rarely appears as an extracranial tumor secondarily extended into the paranasal sinuses. Meningiomas arise from arachnoid cap cells that form the external membrane of the brain. Most meningiomas are slow growing and are usually not associated with substantial underlying brain edema; they cause symptoms by the compression of adjacent neural structures. An interesting natural history of a neglected meningioma with extracranial extension is described. The diagnosis of meningioma was established by CT imaging, finally based on the histopathology and immunochemistry. The meningioma cells in our male patient were positive for progesterone receptors. The patient underwent surgical treatment and recovered without complications. On follow-up 1 year later there were no signs of process expansion.