Primary meningioma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

A case of primary meningioma of the nasal cavity and ethmoidal sinus of a 65-year-old man is described. The clinical and pathologic characteristics of the 18 cases previously reported in the literature are reviewed. Although the histological features and biological behavior of the tumors were found to be similar to that of intracranial meningioma, primary meningiomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were found more often to involve male patients and young individuals. Meningiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any lesion in a young patient with progressive exophthalmos, nasal obstruction, or episodes of epistaxis. The pathogenesis of extracranial meningiomas is briefly discussed.