November 5, 2012
A 14-year-old boy reported with a 2-year history of intermittent headache and 1-month history of vomiting. Visual acuity was diminished, and funduscopy demonstrated papilledema.
(Intraosseous) Anterior Skull Base Meningioma
- Meningiomas are tumors derived from arachnoid cells. Typically meningiomas are therefore dural-based tumors.
- Extradural meningiomas are rare and account for only 2% of all meningiomas. Of these, 14% are of the intraosseous variety. These tumors are thought to arise from trapped arachnoid cells, and, therefore, are most commonly seen at the sites of cranial sutures or fractures.
- Key Diagnostic Features: Radiologic findings are variable. Such tumors can be osteolytic, osteolytic-blastic, or osteoblastic. The more common osteoblastic form demonstrates thickened calvarium, widening of the diploic space, sclerosis, occasional radial spiculations, and associated hyperostosis.
- DDx: esthesioneuroblastoma, sinonasal undifferentiated tumor, osteoma, metastasis, hemangioma, fibrous dysplasia
- Rx: surgical excision
