Convexity meningioma associated with depression: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Meningiomas are slow-growing, extra-axial tumors that can remain asymptomatic.
• Depression can be the sole presenting symptom of meningiomas, particularly in older adults.
• Untreated meningiomas can lead to significant neurological and psychiatric morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of major depression secondary to a convexity meningioma.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges posed by meningioma presenting solely with psychiatric symptoms.
• To highlight the therapeutic implications of surgical tumor resection.

Main Methods:

• A 65-year-old woman with treatment-resistant depression underwent brain imaging.
• A large left fronto-temporal convexity meningioma was diagnosed via computed tomography (CT).
• The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the meningioma.

Main Results:

• The patient's depression resolved completely following the surgical removal of the meningioma.
• Histological examination confirmed a fibroblastic meningioma.
• The tumor's size was 5 cm in diameter.

Conclusions:

• Complete resection of convexity meningiomas can lead to remission of associated depression.
• Prompt neuroimaging is crucial for patients with atypical or late-onset psychiatric symptoms.
• This case underscores the link between neurological lesions and psychiatric manifestations.