Metastasizing meningioma

A unique case of metastasizing meningioma is reported. An occipital tumor occurred in a 21-year-old pregnant woman. It invaded blood vessels and spread widely in an unusual manner the locations of the metastases suggested dissemination, in part through the superior vena cava, and in part by the vertebral veins. Lymphatic spread has also been suggested. Metastasizing meningioma is most frequent in patients in the fourth to six decades of life. Men are more often affected, despite the fact that meningiomas are more frequent in women the 4 most common sites of extracranial deposits are lung, liver, pleura, lymph node. One quarter of patients with metastasizing meningioma had not undergone craniotomy before discovery of secondary tumor. Approximately 15% of metastasizing meningiomas were angioblastic. Additional diagnostic aid is the presence of nuclear vacuolation.