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Secretory meningioma with severe perifocal edema--case report

N Tsuzuki1, H Nakau, M Sugaya

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Self Defense Forces Central Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica
|August 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Secretory meningiomas, a rare brain tumor, can cause severe brain swelling (edema) even when small. This suggests a unique tumor characteristic contributing to edema formation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Pathology
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Meningiomas are tumors arising from the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
  • Perifocal edema is swelling in the brain tissue adjacent to a tumor.
  • Secretory meningiomas are a rare subtype characterized by specific cellular features.

Observation:

  • An 82-year-old male presented with a small parasagittal meningioma.
  • The tumor was associated with disproportionately severe perifocal edema.
  • Standard factors like tumor size, location, growth rate, and vascular involvement did not explain the extensive edema.

Findings:

  • Histological examination, including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, confirmed the diagnosis of secretory meningioma.
  • The severe edema was not attributable to typical causes.
  • This case highlights an unusual presentation of secretory meningioma.

Implications:

  • Secretory meningiomas may have an intrinsic capacity to induce significant brain edema.
  • This finding could influence the clinical management and surgical planning for patients with this tumor type.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind edema formation in secretory meningiomas.

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