Pathological laughter as a presenting symptom of petroclival meningioma--case report

A 35-year-old male presented with symptoms of 'pathological laughter' occurring for 6 months and progressive ataxia and right facial nerve paresis for 2 months. Neuroimaging revealed a large petroclival meningioma. The tumor was well defined and only moderately vascular, and could be relatively easily resected. The symptom of pathological laughter disappeared immediately and his gait improved to normal within a week of surgery. Pathological laughter as a presenting symptom of petroclival meningioma is extremely rare. The symptom of pathological laughter may have localizing value.