A Case of Intraosseous Microcystic Meningioma Without a Mass Lesion

Abstract

Both intraosseous and microcystic meningiomas are rare tumor types. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with intraosseous microcystic meningioma without a mass lesion. She presented with a rare intraosseous microcystic meningioma manifesting as pain. Radiological examination revealed an osteolytic lesion in the right parietal bone. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed iso- to hypointensity on T₁-weighted images and hyperintensity on T₂-weighted images corresponding to the lesion. T₁-weighted MR imaging with gadolinium enhancement better defined the marginal area. The inner table of the skull was disrupted prominently, and both sides of the outer table were eroded. There was fluid leakage during surgery but no obvious tumor mass. Histological examination revealed microcystic meningioma in the inner part of the defective bone. A macroscopic lesion was not found, because most of the tumor comprised microcysts, and their contents leaked out during the surgical procedure. Intraosseous microcystic meningioma may be considered as one of the differential diagnoses when the intraosseous tumor in the skull has fluid leakage and does not have a mass lesion during the surgery.