Study design: Case report.
Objective: To report a case and review the literature on intracranial malignant meningioma with metastasis to the spine.
Summary of background data: Because so few cases have been recognized and reported, the radiologic and pathologic assessment, pathway of metastasis, and the concepts of surgical resection and other palliative management of this disease are still controversial.
Methods: A big lobulated mass in the left frontal lobe containing calcifications and tumor bleeding was resected. Pathologic findings indicated malignant meningioma due to bone destruction and dura invasion grossly, and tumor cellular atypism with mitotic activity and massive tumor necrosis microscopically. Radiotherapy followed, and brain computed tomography revealed no definite evidence of recurrence. Three months later, spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple bone metastasis in lower T-L-S1, and pathologic fracture of L1 with compression of the dural sac and spinal cord. Surgical resection was done for decompression, fixation, and pathologic proof.
Results: Both pathologic and immunohistochemical survey found evidence consistent with malignant meningioma with spinal metastasis. Advanced treatment was refused, and the patient died.
Conclusion: Spinal magnetic resonance imaging should be performed because of the high spinal metastatic rate, especially when spinal symptoms and signs are present. Immunohistochemical study has an important role in the differential diagnosis of primary or metastatic intracranial neoplasms.