Contiguous Meningioma and B-Cell Lymphoma: A Scoping Review and Case Illustration

World Neurosurg. 2022 Feb:158:132-138. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.11.042. Epub 2021 Nov 16.

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of a contiguous, synchronous meningioma and central nervous system B-cell lymphoma is rare and associated with paradoxical treatment paradigms. We performed a scoping review of contiguous meningioma and B-cell lymphoma and included an additional illustrative case.

Methods: The OVID Medline and PubMed databases were systematically searched using the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Only human clinical reports of contiguous, synchronous meningioma and B-cell lymphoma were included. We concurrently detailed a representative case from our institution.

Results: Nine case reports met our criteria, including the present case. The average age at diagnosis was 67.4 years. Patients showed a female-to-male predominance of 7:2. The diagnosis of synchronous intracranial tumors was not suspected or discovered until after surgical resection in 100% of cases. All meningiomas were grade I on histopathologic diagnosis, while lymphomas were distributed between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (56%), metastatic lymphoma (22%), Burkitt lymphoma (11%), and follicular lymphoma (11%). All patients underwent surgical resection. Patients (n = 5) treated with adjuvant chemotherapy had evidence of longer progression-free survival (median 12 months; range, 3-18 months) than patients without adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 2; median 2 months; range, 1-3 months).

Conclusions: Contiguous, synchronous meningioma/B-cell lymphoma is a rare diagnosis that may appear as an inconspicuous solitary intracranial neoplasm on imaging. Based on the limited cases and current treatment of lymphoma, progression-free survival may be contingent on the prompt initiation of chemotherapy targeting the lymphoma rather than surgical resection of the meningeal mass. Providers should prioritize prompt medical management.

Keywords: B-cell lymphoma; Meningioma; Multiple intracranial neoplasms; Neuro-oncology; Scoping review.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Burkitt Lymphoma*
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / pathology
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Meningioma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningioma* / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary* / surgery
  • Systematic Reviews as Topic