Vertebral angiography in the diagnosis of meningioma within the lateral ventricle.

Abstract

Reports of meningioma within the lateral ventricle demonstrated by vertebral angiography are few in number. An extensive search through the literature has revealed only five cases in all. Ameli (1952) described one case and published a lateral radiograph demonstrating a tumour circulation. Wall (1954) reviewing a series of eight cases of intraventricular meningioma stated “vertebral angiography which was done in four cases showed in the lateral views one constant feature, namely, absence of the normal pattern of the choroid plexus … In addition, the posterior choroidal vessels were abnormally numerous or stretched. In one instance the tumour was outlined by encircling vessels and a residual haze. The antero-posterior films, as would be expected, were of little help because in this view the choroidal arteries are foreshortened.” Because a tumour circulation with residual “blush” has been described in only two of the cases in the literature, and the antero-posterior vertebral angiographic appearances do not appear to have been previously published, it is felt that the following case of intraventricular meningioma diagnosed by vertebral angiography should be recorded. The patient, a woman of 47, was admitted to Astley Hospital, Leigh, in August, 1959, under the care of Dr. T. B. S. Dick, with the complaint that for five years she had suffered from pains in the back of the neck, and for three months from “pins and needles” in the left cheek.