Primary sphenoid sinus meningioma resection via transnasal transsphenoid approach: a case report

Meningiomas are slow-growing benign lesions that constitute ∼ 25% of primary intracranial tumours. Extracranial meningioma of the sphenoid sinus is extremely rare and may arise from ectopic arachnoid nests left behind during embryonic development. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman with left oculomotor nerve paralysis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 43 × 31 × 33 mm mass in the sphenoid sinus invading anteriorly into the posterior ethmoid sinus and superiorly into the base of the anterior cranial fossa. Microscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery was performed with multilayer reconstruction to the cranial base. Postoperative MRI confirmed total resection and recovery was uneventful. The pathological diagnosis was grade I meningothelial meningioma. Meningioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of sphenoid sinus mass. Surgery is the first-choice treatment and a transnasal transphenoidal approach is recommended. Cranial base reconstruction is important to avoid postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage.