Ectopic thoracic meningioma: a diagnostically challenging case

Abstract

Whilst meningiomas are common neoplasms of the central nervous system; ectopic meningiomas are very rare. When they do occur, they are typically in the head and neck. Due to their rarity, they propose a diagnostic challenge with interesting pathological findings. To date, only seven ectopic meningiomas arising in the mediastinum have been reported in the literature. We aim to shift the focus on the diagnostic journey of this rare entity which involved various imaging and histopathological techniques. Our patient was successfully treated with no complications after four years through input from specialists and the multidisciplinary team.

Primary extracranial meningioma of the pelvis discovered on screening pelvic examination

“…In contrast, extracranial, or ectopic, meningiomas are noted to make up less than 1% of all meningiomas 3. Though the vast majority of extracranial meningiomas occur in the head and neck,4–9 there are rare cases reported in the literature occurring in the thoracic cavity,10–12 carotid sinus,13 and kidney 14…”