Aggressive recurrence of intra-extradural cervico-thoracic meningothelial meningioma

The authors analysed the case of a 53-years-old woman who presented with an C5-D1 intra-extradural mass. Following subtotal removal, the tumour was histologically classified as meningothelial meningioma and no radiotherapy was recommended. The neuroradiological workup demonstrated that the lesion was stable one year after the operation but, a few months later a tumour recurrence with huge bone destruction was detected. The tumour was totally resected and a circumferential stabilization was performed. Histology remained unchanged but radiotherapy was now recommended. One year after a new recurrence was detected and the patient died. The authors discuss the extremely malignant behaviour of a tumour classified as benign.