Meningiomas causing spontaneous intracranial hematomas

Four cases of spontaneous intracranial hematomas caused by unsuspected meningiomas are reported. Nine previous cases were found in the literature and the entire series of 13 cases is reviewed. Because of their unusual clinical presentation, these cases were not diagnosed correctly prior to radiological studies. Hypertension, trauma, and blood dyscrasia played no significant pathogenetic role. The histological features of these hemorrhagic meningiomas are described, and the importance of adequate radiological investigations and early radical surgery is stressed.