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Hemorrhagic necrotic schwannoma presenting as purulent meningitis
H C Onyiuke1, A McLean, M Schwartz
1Division of Neurosurgery, Sunnybrook Health Centre, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Intracranial schwannoma involving the XIIth cranial nerve is rare. We report an unusual clinical presentation and pathological verification of a schwannoma, which had become haemorrhagic and necrotic, simulating acute purulent meningitis.
Methods:
A literature review of intracranial tumors presenting as acute purulent meningitis, with emphasis on schwannomas, was undertaken.
Results:
Few cases of hypoglossal schwannoma have been reported; the association with purulent meningitis has not been previously documented.
Conclusion:
In patients presenting with sterile purulent meningitis, a necrotic tumor should be considered as a possible etiology.