Malignant Cerebral Meningiomas

Grade III meningioma is a rare tumor accounting for 1.7% of all intracranial meningiomas. Three histological subtypes of malignant meningiomas exist: anaplastic, papillary and rhabdoid. The incidence of these meningiomas is higher in women in the 35-64 age group, whereas in the group of patients over 75, men are in the majority. Malignant meningiomas may be single or multiple in the context of NF2. Clinical presentation is variable. Radiological diagnosis is based on cerebral CT scan, but above all on cerebral MRI, which allows us to suspect a high-grade meningioma. A thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT scan is sometimes necessary to assess the extent of the disease. Treatment is based on surgery, with the aim of removing as much of the meningioma as possible in order to relieve compression on nerve elements and minimize the risk of recurrence. Adjuvant treatment is discussed to improve the prognosis of these patients. Early and appropriate management is essential to guarantee a better quality of life and longer relapse-free survival.

Autorentext
Dr Ghassen Gader, neurosurgeon at the Ben Arous Traumatology and Burns Center, university hospital assistant at the Tunis Faculty of Medicine (Tunisia). He holds additional certificates in neuro-oncology, spinal pathology, wound healing and neuro-psycho-pharmacology.