Microcystic meningiomas--an unusual morphological variant of meningiomas

Nine cases of microcystic meningiomas, a distinct morphological variant of meningiomas, are reported. They are characterized by a vacuolated and myxomatous histological appearance with multiple cystic spaces lined by stellate-shaped tumour cells. Immunohistochemically, they shared a similar pattern of positive staining for epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin with other meningiomas. Their unusual histological features might lead to problems in differential diagnosis from other intracranial tumours, including schwannomas, chordomas, astrocytomas and angioblastic meningiomas.