Multiple meningiomas within the spinal canal: case report with 23 tumors

Abstract

In most series of neoplasms of the spinal canal, spinal cord and its leptomeninges, the incidence of meningioma group comprises approximately 25%. The incidence of multiple meningiomas is small when compared with the frequency of its single occurrence. In the majority of cases, their multiplicity is intracranial and spinal. Multiple meningiomas confined exclusively to the spinal canal are extremely rare. We report on a 33 years-old man, with 23 tumors located in the spinal thoracic region.

Multiple Spinal Canal Meningiomas

“…1,4,8,12,19 but these are reported without evidence of stigmata like our case. 2,3,8,19 Various theories have been put forward to explain the occurrence of multiple spinal canal meningiomas by Artunes and Zauk. 20 The polycentric theory, the venous dissemination theory and the liquoric dissemination theory.…”

“…Post-operative complications are transitory. 19 In our case, patient recovered from his weakness and sensory symptoms gradually and bladder and bowel symptoms improved gradually over a period of two to three weeks. 4 Spinal meningiomas account for 25 percent of all spinal cord tumours and usually they are solitary.…”

“…1,5 Silva. 19 et al reported a patient with 23 tumours of spinal canal meningiomas who was operated five times within 15 years period with good outcome. Chaparro.…”

“…1,5 To the best of our knowledge we could find only sixteen case series were reported in the literature. 2,3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Exclusive multiple spinal canal meningiomas occurring in the first two decades of life are seldom reported in the literature. We are presenting a case of multiple spinal canal meningiomas in a young patient of 17 years, who was earlier operated for single lesion.…”

Spinal Meningiomas

“…Spinal meningiomas do not penetrate the pia mater due to the existence of intermediate leptomeningeal membrane, located between pia mater and the arachnoid, contrary to what occurs with intracranial meningiomas. The spinal meningioma is usually solitary, but there are reports of multiple cases associated with type II neurofibromatosis 31,39,47,50,62 . Histologically, the most common varieties in the spinal column are the psammomatous subtypes followed by meningoendotelial and transitiona l9, 18,20 .…”