Extracranial meningiomas of the head and neck.

Abstract

Extracranial extraspinal meningiomas (less than 1% of all meningiomas) frequently occur in the head and neck. The radiographic findings of extracranial meningioma of the head and neck are not pathognomonic. However, the location of the tumor in the pathway of cranial nerves or adjacent to the skull base, the demonstration of a well circumscribed, solid, enhancing mass by computed tomography, and the faint tumor stain on arteriography should allow the radiologist to make a possible, although not definite, diagnosis of this rare tumor. Detection of possible intracranial extension and involvement of adjacent structures is mandatory before surgery.