STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a patient presenting with a rare calcified spinal meningioma that recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after initial surgery was performed. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate a calcified recurrent spinal meningioma visible on a plain radiograph. The present case is discussed in conjunction with a review of previous cases of calcified spinal meningioma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Meningioma is a common spinal tumor that has a favorable prognosis if resected completely. Microscopic calcification is frequently found in spinal meningiomas because of psammoma bodies. However, calcified meningiomas in the spinal canal that can be detected on a plain radiograph are uncommon. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous reports of recurrent spinal meningioma with calcification visible on a plain radiograph. METHODS: A patient experienced difficulty in walking and was diagnosed as having a spinal meningioma. Laminectomies and a total tumor excision were performed. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a psammomatous meningioma. The tumor recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after the initial operation. The tumor was detected on a plain radiograph, appearing as a calcified tumor at the same thoracic level as the site of the initial operation. The recurrent tumor was completely removed, and a histologic examination showed huge psammoma bodies with calcification, but without ossification. RESULTS: Preoperative paraplegia improved after the surgery, and she was able to walk with a crutch. The patient was discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrent psammomatous meningioma contained clusters of calcified psammoma bodies, resulting in a hard tumor that was visible on a plain radiograph.
STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a patient presenting with a rare calcified spinal meningioma that recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after initial surgery was performed. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate a calcified recurrent spinal meningioma visible on a plain radiograph. The present case is discussed in conjunction with a review of previous cases of calcified spinal meningioma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Meningioma is a common spinal tumor that has a favorable prognosis if resected completely. Microscopic calcification is frequently found in spinal meningiomas because of psammoma bodies. However, calcified meningiomas in the spinal canal that can be detected on a plain radiograph are uncommon. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous reports of recurrent spinal meningioma with calcification visible on a plain radiograph. METHODS: A patient experienced difficulty in walking and was diagnosed as having a spinal meningioma. Laminectomies and a total tumor excision were performed. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a psammomatous meningioma. The tumor recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after the initial operation. The tumor was detected on a plain radiograph, appearing as a calcified tumor at the same thoracic level as the site of the initial operation. The recurrent tumor was completely removed, and a histologic examination showed huge psammoma bodies with calcification, but without ossification. RESULTS: Preoperative paraplegia improved after the surgery, and she was able to walk with a crutch. The patient was discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrent psammomatous meningioma contained clusters of calcified psammoma bodies, resulting in a hard tumor that was visible on a plain radiograph.
Authors: Ji Won Lee; In Sook Lee; Kyung-Un Choi; Young Hwan Lee; Jae Hyuck Yi; Jong Woon Song; Kyung Jin Suh; Hak Jin Kim Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2009-08-15 Impact factor: 2.199