Background: Primary extradural meningiomas (PEMs) are rare, particularly those involving the paraspinal cervical area, so little is known about them. We identified a new case and compared it with 10 previous cases, addressed the diagnostic challenges, and highlighted the clinical and pathologic characteristics.
Methods: We conducted a case report and literature review of PEM cases reported since 1976.
Results: A 59-year-old man presented with right neck stiffness and discomfort that was present over the last several months, which is consistent with other cases. CT scan and MRI revealed a paraspinal cervical mass. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core biopsy revealed spindle cells with whorling consistent with meningioma. The patient underwent complete en bloc resection of the tumor. The PEM was histologically benign.
Conclusion: Cervical PEMs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a deep neck mass. These tumors are typically benign and are surgically resected.
Keywords: cervical; extradural; mass; meningioma; primary.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.