Papillary (Malignant) Meningioma of the Foramen Magnum Presenting as a Posterior Neck Mass

Abstract

Meningiomas and neurofibromas are the most common extramedullary tumors in the region of the foramen magnum. The clinical symptoms are variable, including headache, occipitocervical pain, and hoarseness. Neurological symptoms are present only in 40% of cases. The age group ranges from 4 to 56 years. A number of patients are misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, syringomyelia, and cervical disc disease. The overall incidence of these tumors vary from 1.6 to 2.4%. The majority of meningiomas are histologically benign. Papillary (malignant) meningiomas are even rarer in this location. The present report is that of a 46-year-old man who developed a painless mass in the nape of his neck, without any neurological symptoms. Following initial biopsy at another hospital, a definitive resection was undertaken at Loyola University Medical Center. The diagnosis of a malignant meningioma was made after extensive immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies. The patient developed a positive cervical lymph node 1 year later, which was excised and showed identical histopathologic features.