Hormone-dependent shrinkage of a sphenoid wing meningioma after pregnancy: case report

J Neurosurg. 2016 Jan;124(1):137-40. doi: 10.3171/2014.12.JNS142112. Epub 2015 Jul 10.

Abstract

Meningiomas are known to be associated with female sex hormones. Worsening neurological symptoms or newly diagnosed meningiomas have been described in the context of elevated levels of sex hormones, for example, in pregnancy. To the authors' knowledge, tumor shrinkage after the normalization of hormones has not been described, even if it is known that neurological deficits due to meningioma compression may improve after giving birth. A 32-year-old female patient presented with severe headache and vision disturbances at the end of her second pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extended mass at the lateral left-sided sphenoid wing that was suspected to be a meningioma. After delivery, the patient's symptoms improved, and MRI obtained 2 months postpartum showed significant shrinkage of the lesion. Significant tumor shrinkage can occur after pregnancy. Thus, repeat imaging is indicated in these patients.

Keywords: hormone dependent; meningioma; oncology; pregnancy; progesterone; shrinkage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Revascularization
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood*
  • Humans
  • Meningioma / pathology*
  • Meningioma / surgery
  • Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / etiology
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / surgery
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Postoperative Period
  • Pregnancy
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sphenoid Bone / pathology*
  • Sphenoid Bone / surgery

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones