Abstract
A case of hemangiopericytic meningioma with both intra and extra-cranial metastases is reported and the biological features of the tumor are discussed. A 57-year-old male underwent total excision of a left suboccipital meningioma in 1973. This tumor was histologically confirmed to be a hemangiopericytic meningioma. Seven years later multiple intracranial meningiomas with metastasis to the sacral bone were found. A two-step operation and biopsy revealed that these tumors were metastases of the tumor which was excised in the first operation. Following irradiation the residual tumors were reduced in size dramatically and the patient's symptoms improved satisfactorily. However, metastatic lesions spread to the left humerus, the right scapula, the left ilium and the ribs. Furthermore, intracranial tumors began to regrow 2 years after the irradiation. The patient's general condition gradually deteriorated and he finally died 11 years after the first operation. Autopsy revealed additional metastatic tumors in the spinal cord, the pancreas and the left kidney. Review of the literature indicates that this patient appears to be the first reported case of hemangiopericytic meningioma with both intra and extra-cranial metastases.
