Sphenoid and optic nerve sheath meningioma revealed by recurrent brain infarctions

A Mourad1, J-P Guichard, C Vignal

  • 1Department of Neurology, Lariboisière Hospital, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France.

Revue Neurologique
|March 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

A rare sphenoid meningioma caused recurrent brain infarctions by compressing the carotid artery. This benign tumor led to progressive artery occlusion and cerebral ischemia in a young patient.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Vascular Neurology

Background:

  • Meningiomas, typically benign tumors, can invade adjacent structures.
  • Brain infarctions secondary to meningiomas, especially those involving the cavernous sinus and carotid artery, are exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A young male presented with recurrent left carotid artery infarctions.
  • The cause was identified as a left sphenoid meningioma infiltrating the optic nerve sheath and encasing the intracranial carotid artery.

Findings:

  • The sphenoid meningioma led to progressive occlusion of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery, distal internal carotid artery, and anterior cerebral artery.
  • This case highlights a unique mechanism of ischemic stroke due to tumor compression.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering meningioma as a potential cause of ischemic stroke, even in young patients.
  • Understanding tumor-meningeal vascular interactions is crucial for managing complex neurological cases and preventing cerebral infarctions.

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