Single-stage operation for a giant haemangiopericytoma following intracranial feeder embolization

Abstract

Meningeal haemangiopericytomas (HPC) are malignant intracranial neoplasms that commonly recur and metastasize. Large size at diagnosis, abundant intracranial feeders and the risk of intraoperative bleeding can make them difficult to completely remove in one operation. We report here a rare case of a gaint HPC which was treated successfully using a one-stage operation following superselective intracranial feeder occlusion. A 30-year-old man presented with a left middle cranial fossa tumour extending to the left temporal lobe and cerebellar tentorium. Angiography revealed supply from a dilated left posterior temporal artery branching from the posterior cerebral artery. The tumour was totally removed in a single-stage excision after embolization of the intracranial major feeding artery. The present case suggests the usefulness of preoperative embolization for HPC, particularly of intracranial feeders, to achieve total resection safely in a single operation.