Geniculate Ganglion Meningioma

Abstract

The geniculate ganglion is an unusual location for an intratemporal/intracranial meningioma. We present a case of meningioma intrinsic to the geniculate ganglion that presented peculiar features on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and magnetic resonance imaging. On HRCT, we found erosion of the geniculate ganglion with enlargement of the facial canal associated with the appearance of some calcifications within the lesion. These latter findings were confirmed at histological examination. In our patient, the T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images had an intermediate signal and a mild hyperintensity, respectively. Although intracranial meningiomas can have calcifications within the mass, none of the cases of geniculate ganglion meningiomas described in the literature presented with calcifications. To our knowledge, our case is the first with this combination. The presence of calcifications led us to suspect a meningioma of the geniculate segment, which was confirmed at histological examination.