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Microcystic meningioma: clinicopathological features of 6 cases
S Nishio1, I Takeshita, T Morioka
1Department of Neurosugery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Japan.
Abstract:
The clinical and morphological features of 6 patients with unusual meningiomas with extensive microcystic formation are presented. There were 4 males and 2 females, ranging in age from 30 to 64 years. The clinical and neuro-imaging features of these tumours were identical with those of meningiomas in general. Morphological examinations disclosed that the tumour cells in 4 cases had many ultrastructural characteristics in common with the arachnoid cap cells, viz. prominent and complex interdigitation of the fine cytoplasmic processes, many desmosomes, and intracytoplasmic microfilaments. In contrast, the tumour cells of 2 cases had characteristic structures in common with trabecular arachnoid cells, viz. stellate in shape, a small number of intracytoplasmic filaments, relatively thick cytoplasmic processes, and occasional desmosomes. The tumour cells in these 2 cases were considered to recapitulate the subarachnoid structure and showed microcystic appearance. Although the histogenesis of microcysts in meningiomas is considered not to be uniform, the biological behaviour of these 6 tumours corresponded to those of meningiomas in general.
Insights
This study details six unusual meningiomas with microcystic formation, noting their typical clinical presentation. Morphological analysis revealed distinct cell types, but all tumors behaved like common meningiomas.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Meningiomas are tumors arising from the meninges.
- Microcystic formation is an uncommon feature in meningiomas.
- Understanding meningioma subtypes is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the clinical and morphological features of meningiomas with extensive microcystic formation.
- To investigate the ultrastructural characteristics of tumor cells in these rare cases.
- To correlate morphology with the biological behavior of microcystic meningiomas.
Main Methods:
- Case study of 6 patients with meningiomas and microcystic changes.
- Clinical and neuro-imaging data analysis.
- Detailed morphological and ultrastructural examination of tumor cells.
Main Results:
- Patients (4 males, 2 females, aged 30-64) presented with typical meningioma features.
- Four cases showed ultrastructural similarities to arachnoid cap cells.
- Two cases exhibited characteristics of trabecular arachnoid cells, recapitulating subarachnoid structure with microcysts.
- All six tumors demonstrated biological behavior consistent with general meningiomas.
Conclusions:
- Meningiomas with extensive microcystic formation can exhibit diverse cellular origins.
- Despite varied morphology, these tumors generally follow the typical clinical course of meningiomas.
- The histogenesis of microcysts in meningiomas may not be uniform.