Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2026
Microvascular Decompression: Salient Surgical Principles and Technical Nuances
Published on: July 5, 2011
[Isolated extracranial meningioma of the facial soft tissues]
A R Gunkel1, G Kanonier, B Zelger
1Universitätsklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten Innsbruck.
Background:
Isolated primarily extracranial meningiomas are extremely rare tumors of the head and neck region. The pathogenesis of these benign lesions is not fully clarified. Most likely these tumors derive from ectopic meningeal or arachnoid cells following the nerve sheaths of cranial nerves along their course through the skull base.
Patient:
We report on a patient presenting with a slow growing tumor of the soft facial tissue. The tumor was resected completely via an external approach.
Results And Conclusion:
The patient has been free of tumor recurrence for one year. The pathogenesis of the extracranial meningioma in this patient seems to be the displacement of meningeal cells in the course of a fracture of the base of the skull.
Insights
Extracranial meningiomas, rare head and neck tumors, may arise from displaced meningeal cells. Surgical resection offers a good prognosis, with no recurrence observed in this case after one year.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Extracranial meningiomas are rare tumors in the head and neck.
- Their exact origin (pathogenesis) is not fully understood.
- They likely develop from ectopic meningeal or arachnoid cells along cranial nerves.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a slow-growing soft tissue tumor of the face.
- The tumor was completely removed through an external surgical approach.
Findings:
- The patient remained tumor-free one year post-surgery.
- The extracranial meningioma in this case may have resulted from meningeal cell displacement due to a skull base fracture.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential mechanism for extracranial meningioma formation.
- Complete surgical resection appears effective for managing these rare tumors.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of extracranial meningiomas is warranted.
