Meningiomas: Defined
April 14, 2008 – 8:57 am Dr. Leonard Cerullo
Meningiomas are tumors that are within the head (intracranial space) but not within the brain. They compress, rather than invade, the brain. Generally, meningiomas are benign, but there are subsets that tend to be more aggressive, often recurring and occasionally metastasizing to other organs such as the lungs and liver.
Meningiomas are located over the upper surface of the brain (convexity), between the major divisions (falx or tentorial) and under the brain (skull base). The latter will frequently cause dysfunction of one or more of the nerves entering or exiting the brain to supply the face and neck (cranial nerves). Symptoms could include loss of vision, double vision, facial numbness or weakness, loss of hearing or balance and difficulty swallowing.
Meningiomas tend to grow slowly, allowing the brain time to accommodate to their presence. Many, therefore, do not become symptomatic until they have become quite large. In addition, some meningiomas are associated with more swelling of the brain around the tumor than others. This is called edema, and along with size, contributes to the mass effect of the tumor. Finally, the growth rate of the tumor plus the edema will determine the ability of the brain to compensate or remain asymptomatic. Eventually symptoms will develop, and these will be a function of the location of the tumor. Symptoms include seizures, neurologic deficits and signs of increased intracranial pressure.
Next time, treatment options. In the meantime, you can read a little more about meningiomas here.
