Clinicopathological Study of Meningioma

Abstract

Background: Meningiomas are tumours originating from meningothelial cells. They are commonly located at intracranial, intraspinal or occasionally ectopic site. They show histological diversity and are categorized into three grades by WHO 2007 Classification .This grading helps in predicting their behaviour and deciding treatment strategy. Objective: To study the frequency, clinical details, topographic distribution, histological typing and grading of 87 cases of meningioma. Diagnostic accuracy of radio-imaging and utility of squash cytology for their intraoperative diagnosis was also assessed. Methods: Total 87 histopathologically confirmed cases of meningioma were studied with above mentioned aims and objectives. Analysis of histological features, typing and grading of all cases was done according to WHO 2007 classification of meningioma. Result: Meningioma constituted 15.60% of all CNS neoplasms. It was the most common extra-axial tumour and contributed to 37.09% all extra- axial intracranial neoplasms. 90.8% of the meningiomas were intracranial where convexity was the most favored location. 6 out of 8 spinal meningiomas were located at thoracic level. Headache was the most frequent presentation. Obvious female predominance was observed. The most common histological subtype was meningothelial followed by transitional. Majority 87.36% were benign grade I tumours .3.45% cases showed recurrence.In 74.41% cases radiological diagnosis matched exactly with histopathological diagnosis while squash cytology provided exact diagnosis in 91.15% cases. Conclusion: Meningiomas are slow growing extra-axial tumoursmajority being intracranial, benign grade I neoplasms occurring commonly in elderly females and squash cytology plays a great role in their intraoperative diagnosis.