Primary Intraosseous Meningioma

Article information

Arch Plast Surg. 2015;42(3):378-380

Publication date (electronic) : 2015 May 14

doi : https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2015.42.3.378

Kyoung Wook Choi, Kyu Jin Chung, Yong-Ha Kim

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

Correspondence: Yong-Ha Kim. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, 170 Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 705-717, Korea. Tel: +82-53-620-3480, Fax: +82-53-626-0705, yhkim@med.yu.ac.kr

Received 2014 July 24; Revised 2014 August 05; Accepted 2014 August 23.

Meningioma originates from arachnoid cap cells and is usually dura-based and slow growing. They account for 15% to 20% of primary brain tumors. Primary intraosseous meningioma (PIM) is a type of ectopic meningioma, and has been rarely reported. PIMs have been reported to constitute less than 2% of meningiomas, and are usual reported in the frontotemporal regions of the calvarium [1], orbits, and anterior cranial fossa. Frequently, patients with PIM of the orbit complain of aesthetic problems. We report a case of PIM of the orbit.

A 54-year-old female had presented with gradually progressive exophthalmos of 5 months duration (Fig. 1). The patient had no pain or visual symptom, and there was no previous ocular trauma history. Ophthalmologic and neurologic examinations were normal finding except for 5 mm of exophthalmos. Facial computed tomography (CT) scan revealed thickening of cortical bone of the orbital wall at the right sphenoid wing (Fig. 2). The radiologic diagnosis of preoperative facial CT was fibrous dysplasia of the right lateral orbital wall and right skull base.

Fig. 1

Preoperative view.

Fig. 2

Preoperative facial computed tomography.

Lateral eyebrow and subciliary incision were followed by parallel upper and lower ostectomies at the lateral orbital rim. The osteomised bone segment was excised to create enough space to approach the main mass at the right sphenoidal bone and part of the orbit lateral wall. The bony mass was removed with a high-speed drill and oscillating saw. The osteomised orbital rim segment was repositioned using fixation devices. The main mass consisted of fragile abnormal bone, resembling that of fibrous dysplasia.

Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of meningioma. In microscopic views, oval and spindle shaped cells formed lobules between woven bones. Nuclei frequently exhibited central clearing and whorls were viewed. Cytoplasm and surrounding collagen were immunohistochemically positive for epithelial membrane antigen, and negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), and Ki-67 (Fig. 3). At 3 months after surgery, exophthalmos was reduced to 2 mm, that is, into the relatively normal range (Fig. 4). On postoperative CT, most of the bone mass was removed but minimal amount of mass remained (Fig. 5). Although secondary surgery for complete resection of the mass was planned at 12 months after surgery, the patient was satisfied with the aesthetic results and was not willing to undergo additional surgery.

Fig. 3

Epithelial membrane antigen positive finding (magnification, ×100, epithelial membrane antigen immunostain).

Fig. 4

Postoperative view.

Fig. 5

Postoperative facial computed tomography.

Extradural meningiomas are uncommon, and more than 90% of extradural meningiomas occur in the head and neck [2]. Nevertheless, many other locations have been reported, such as, scalp, calvaria, orbit, paranasal sinus, neck, lung, mediastinum, skin, and finger. The differentiation of PIM and intradural meningioma depends on the presence of dural invasion. Hoye et al. [3] defined PIM as not involving the dura, but Lang et al. [2] did not treat dural invasion as an exclusive criteria and regarded main mass location, growth direction, and dural displacement pattern to be of greater importance.

The majority of PIMs of the skull base and orbital walls present with pain, exophthalmos, and deformity. PIMs are generally benign and slow growing, but a higher proportion are associated with malignant change than standard meningioma [2]. These tumors are characterized by an intraosseous mass growth leading to significant hyperostosis involving the sphenoid wing, orbital roof, lateral orbital wall, and the middle fossa cranial base and a thin, usually soft-tissue growth at the dura.

Several hypotheses have been proposed for the origin of PIM. Azar-Kia et al. [4] suggested that PIM arises from arachnoid cap cells trapped in the cranial suture during birth. In the reports issued by Lang et al. [2] and Crawford et al. [5] 8% and 64%, respectively, were suture related masses. It has also been proposed that PIM arises from dura and arachnoid entrapment caused by previous trauma. The third hypothesis is extradural meningioma arise from multipotent mesenchymal cells, which could explain masses located far from the head and neck.

PIM is the condition most commonly confused with fibrous dysplasia. Both PIM and fibrous dysplasia expand bone and have a "ground glass" appearance. However, in intraosseous meningioma, there is irregularity of the cortical bone. In fibrous dysplasia, on the other hand, the bone is enlarged but follows the normal position and intact cortical bone.

Surgical resection is required for symptomatic PIM. Excision of the tumor with reconstruction of bone as required is the choice of operation. Operations must be designed to achieve symmetry of both eyes, as proper facial symmetry and tumor resection are important for achieving successful aesthetic outcomes.

In conclusion, we reported a rare case of PIM of the orbit that present with progressive exophthalmos. Surgical resection was performed to lessen avoidable morbidity. The patient was satisfied with the aesthetic results achieved.