Ectopic Meningioma

Objective To study ectopic meningiomas about the characteristics of epidemiology,etiology,clinical manifestation, pathological characteristics, diagnosis , differential diagnosis, classification, treatment and prognosis.Method 12 cases of ectopic meningioma in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from May 1994 to November 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.Results The occurrence rate of ectopic meningioma is 1.7% of total intracranial meningiomas. Both male and female patients are 6. The age of the patients ranges from 8 to 66,the average is 33.9.The average course of hospitalization is 19 days. There are 9 cases extracranial: besides 5 cases in ethmoidal cellules, the location of the others is as follows: intraorbit, nasal cavity ,nasal root, parietal bone. Meanwhile, there are 3 cases intracranial: sylvian fissure, parietooccipital region of the brain, temporal region of epidural. The diameter of the tumors ranges from 2.5cm～8cm. All of the 12 cases were operated and no death. Total resection was achieved in 10 cases and subtotal resection was performed in 2 cases Ten cases made complete recovery and two showed improved; The pathological diagnosises of the 12 cases were all benign. Postoperative complication is diplopia and have not improved until discharged from hospital.Conclusions1. The occurrence rate of ectopic meningioma is low, and most of the tumors are near the body axis. There are no difference in the occurrence rate between the female and male patients.2. The manifestations of the ectopic meningiomas varied with the site of the tumor. In all, there is no characteristic manifestation of the ectopic meningioma.3. Although there are certain characteristics of imaging findings, diagnosis mainly depends on manifestations and pathology.4. Surgical resection of the ectopic meningioma is the effective method , and most of the prognosis are good.