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Published on: July 5, 2021
Giant malignant meningioma invading the calvarial bone and scalp
Zheng-yong Li1, Ying Cen, Mingjing Gu
1Department of Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China. lizydd@sina.com
Abstract:
Meningiomas are common and mostly benign intracranial tumors, but malignant meningioma is a rare subtype with high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. Also, most meningiomas grow intracranially, and extracranial growth of meningiomas has rarely been reported. We present here a rare case of a giant malignant meningioma with multiple recurrences. The patient was a 73-year-old woman who was evaluated to have a malignant meningioma of the frontal part of the skull 3 years before being admitted to our hospital and received surgical treatment. The tumor recurred 3 years after the first surgery and was classified as a giant meningioma on admission to our hospital. We performed total resection of the giant meningioma and reconstructed the defect with artificial dura, skull, and a local rotating flap. The patient recovered and lived well for 1 year. However, 15 months after surgery, the patient died of the recurrent tumor after refusing any treatment. Meningiomas are usually common and benign intracranial tumors; however, the anaplastic subtype of meningiomas is rare and malignant. Despite the high rates of recurrence and metastasis, surgery is still an option. For giant invasive tumors, the cooperation of neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons is essential.
Insights
Malignant meningioma, a rare aggressive brain tumor, can recur and grow large. This case highlights the challenges in treating giant, recurrent malignant meningiomas, emphasizing surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Meningiomas are typically benign intracranial tumors, but malignant subtypes present a significant clinical challenge due to high recurrence rates and poor prognosis.
- Extracranial extension of meningiomas is exceptionally rare, further complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Observation:
- A 73-year-old female presented with a recurrent giant malignant meningioma of the frontal skull, initially diagnosed and treated 3 years prior.
- The tumor exhibited aggressive growth, necessitating complex surgical resection and reconstruction involving neurosurgical and plastic surgery collaboration.
Findings:
- Complete resection of the giant malignant meningioma was achieved, with reconstruction using artificial dura, skull, and a local flap.
- The patient experienced a good quality of life for one year post-surgery, but ultimately succumbed to tumor recurrence 15 months later after refusing further treatment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the aggressive nature of malignant meningiomas and the critical role of multidisciplinary surgical approaches for giant, invasive tumors.
- Despite advancements, the management of recurrent malignant meningiomas remains challenging, highlighting the need for continued research into effective therapeutic strategies.
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