Meningioma

• Meningioma:

  • Slow-growing tumour that forms from the arachnoid cell cap found on the meninges
  • Peak incidence occurs at 45 years
  • More common in females
  • Are usually benign and surgically viable
  • Rarely metastasise into the body
• Clinical features:

  • Depends on tumour size and location - can lead to mass effect symptoms
  • Many patients are asymptomatic with the meningioma detected incidentally on imaging
  • Headache
  • Seizures
  • Spastic weakness or numbness bilaterally
  • Gait abnormalities
  • Visual loss if the optic nerve is compressed
• Investigations:

  • MRI with gadolinium contrast +/- CT
  • Angiography
• Management:

  • Usually conservative unless symptoms develop
  • Follow-up imaging is used to monitor meningioma
  • If intervention is required - surgical excision and/or radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy has little benefit
• Prognosis:

  • Good prognosis
  • 91% 5 year survival rate