Ossified Meningioma: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: A case report OBJECTIVES: To report an extremely rare case of the spinal meningioma containing bone. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Spinal meningiomas represent 16.6-46.7% of the primary spinal tumors and 1 to 5% of them are calcified. Ossification is an extremely uncommon event that complicates the resection surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We experienced a 59-year-old patient who complained of weakness in the lower limbs and gait disturbance. Spinal cord compressing mass was discovered on a MRI at T6 and there was a vertical plate at the posterior side of the mass. Surgical finding showed complete ossification in the dural attachment site of the mass. Though the tumor mass could be excised with the inner layer of the dura mater en masse, more forceful retraction of the spinal cord was unavoidable than the other soft mass resection. RESULTS: The preoperative neurological impairment improved after the surgery and she was able to walk well. CONCLUSIONS: Ossification makes a resection difficult and vulnerable to develop neurological deterioration. But if we could suspect such an ossification through an image test, it would be helpful to make a surgical plan to avert a neurologic complication.