Head and Neck Imaging

Meningioma, extracranial

For a general description, see meningioma. Extracranial meningiomas are rare. The most frequent sites for extracranial meningiomas are the orbit, nose (Fig.1), paranasal sinuses and middle ear, and at the skull base foramina. Extracranial meningiomas are formed by direct extension outside the skull of a primary intracranial meningioma, by metastasis from a malignant intracranial meningioma, or originate from extracranial arachnoid cell clusters. These cell clusters accompany certain of the cranial nerves outside the cranium.

The imaging characteristics are similar to those of intracranial meningioma: an enhancing mass lesion, remodelling bone, is seen; the neighbouring bone may appear very sclerotic, possibly mimicking fibrous dysplasia head and neck (Fig.2).

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Fig.1

Sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo image in a patient presenting with a nasal soft tissue mass. A large and strongly enhancing lesion is seen in the anterior cranial fossa, extending into the nose.
Meningioma, extracranial, Fig.1
Meningioma, extracranial, Fig.2 (a)
Meningioma, extracranial, Fig.2 (b)
Meningioma, extracranial, Fig.2 (c)