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Epithelial differentiation in intraspinal meningiomas.
H Takeuchi1, J F Llena, A Hirano
1Division of Neuropathology, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467-2490, USA. takeuchihiroaki@msn.com
Brain Tumor Pathology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Intraspinal meningiomas lack pseudopsammoma bodies and show reduced keratin expression compared to intracranial tumors. Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) expression also differs, suggesting site-specific origins or environmental modifications in meningioma development.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Meningiomas are tumors arising from the meninges.
- Intraspinal meningiomas represent a distinct subset with potentially different biological characteristics compared to intracranial counterparts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the epithelial features of intraspinal and intracranial meningiomas.
- To investigate the presence of pseudopsammoma bodies and the expression of keratin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA).
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination using hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining.
- Immunohistochemical analysis for keratin and EMA expression.
- Comparative study of 25 intraspinal and 25 intracranial meningiomas.
Main Results:
- Pseudopsammoma bodies were identified in 12% of intracranial meningiomas but not in intraspinal meningiomas.
- Keratin immunoreactivity was observed in 36% of intracranial and 12% of intraspinal meningiomas.
- Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) reactivity was high in both groups (100% intracranial, 84% intraspinal), with 16% of intraspinal meningiomas showing no EMA reactivity.
Conclusions:
- The absence of pseudopsammoma bodies and differential keratin expression suggest distinct origins or environmental influences on intraspinal meningiomas.
- Variations in EMA expression further support site-specific differences in meningioma biology.
- These findings highlight the importance of tumor location in understanding meningioma pathogenesis.