DEFINITION

Cushing first coined the term “meningioma” to denote a primary tumor originating from cellular constituents of the meninges, thereby encompassing all primary, meningeal-based neoplasms.¹ Over time, the term became limited to tumors arising from arachnoidal cap or meningothelial cells. Morphologically, the category covers a wide range of neoplasms, ones varying in grade from benign (WHO grade I) through atypical (WHO grade II) to malignant (WHO grade III). A lengthy list of descriptive terms has been appended to subtypes of meningioma, including, among others, meningothelial, fibroblastic, transitional, psammomatous, secretory, and microcystic. Only a handful is associated with characteristic laboratory findings or clinical behavior.^2–4

Meningiomas are typically dura-based, often originating in areas where arachnoidal granulations reside. The majority occur in adults and are idiopathic in origin. Children are only occasionally affected.^5,6 Only rare meningiomas occur after cranial radiation^7–11 or arise in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The latter disorder should be suspected when meningioma, particularly multiple lesions, occur in childhood and adolescence.¹² Rare meningiomas are accompanied by other estrogen-dependent tumors, such as carcinomas of breast or endometrium.²

DEMOGRAPHICS

Meningiomas are the most common primary, intracranial, nonglial tumors as well as the most frequently occurring extraaxial neoplasms.¹³ Collectively, they comprise 20% of intracranial neoplasms,¹³ including 15% of symptomatic and 33% of asymptomatic lesions.¹³ Most meningiomas affect adults in middle and older age. In the pediatric population, they account for only 1.4% to 4% of intracranial tumors.¹³ Gender predilection typifies meningiomas. The 2:1 female-to-male ratio generally noted diminishes with age. Thus, in malignant meningiomas, the genders are also equally represented.¹³ The same is true of meningiomas encountered incidentally at autopsy study.

The reported annual incidence of meningiomas is approximately 2.3 to 3.1 per 100,000.¹³ In comparison, the annual incidence of meningiomas detected at autopsy is 3.9 to 5.3 per 100,000.¹⁴ The incidence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic meningiomas rises with age.¹³ One recent study showed 38.9% of meningiomas were asymptomatic¹⁵; this is particularly true in women and in individuals older than 70 years of age.¹⁴

The proportion of multiple meningiomas, a condition known as “meningiomatosis” when pronounced, is approximately 1% to 5% in surgical series.¹⁶ Such tumors occur more frequently in women and the elderly.¹³ On computed tomography (CT), they comprise 8% of meningiomas; the figure is 8% to 16% in autopsy studies of meningiomas.¹³ Although multiple meningiomas occur at relatively high frequency in the setting of NF2, it is of note that such patients may not have other characteristic features of the disease, such as multiple schwannomas.¹³ Nearly half of the patients with NF2 have a meningioma and that almost 30% have multiple lesions.¹³ Among the 5% of patients with meningiomatosis in one series, only 19% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for NF2.¹⁶ Familial meningiomatosis unassociated with NF2 is extremely rare; only one case has been reported.¹⁶

SPECIFIC SITES

The majority of meningiomas are intradural and arise at intracranial, intraspinal, or orbital locations. Intracranial examples favor sites of arachnoidal granulations and produce increased intracranial pressure, including such symptoms of mass effect and focal neurologic deficits. In contrast to intraparenchymal tumors, such as gliomas and metastases, seizures are relatively uncommon in meningiomas.²

Neuroimaging usually demonstrates a globular, highly vascular, contrast-enhancing, dura-based tumor. A practical radiologic clue to the diagnosis is the “dural tail sign” due to a wedge-shaped, contrast-enhancing tongue of neoplastic or granulation tissue situated at the angle between tumor and underlying dura. Although an uncommon pattern, some meningiomas, particularly ones involving the sphenoid ridge form a carpet-like or “en plaque” lesion. One histologic subtype, the microcystic variant, is often associated with an intratumoral or peritumoral cyst formation.² In some instances, meningiomas are almost entirely embedded within the brain and are associated with peritumoral edema.²

Neuroimaging is invaluable in the diagnosis of meningiomas. On nonenhanced CT images meningiomas are often isodense to gray matter, making them difficult to visualize. Calcifications are common and bright on CT scans.¹⁷ On MRI scan, most are isointense but may be partly hypointense when densely fibrotic and/or heavily calcified.¹⁸ As a rule, the higher the histologic grade of the tumor, the more frequent and extensive is peritumoral edema. For example, atypical and anaplastic meningiomas that attach themselves to the pia often provoke considerable cerebral edema.^19,20 It is not surprising, therefore, that edema is more common in association with meningiomas having increased MIB-1 labeling indices.²¹ Brain invasive meningiomas show an irregular tumor–brain interface and often impressive edema (Fig. 6-1A), a reaction far less evident in grade I or II lesions.

FIGURE 6-1 A, Meningioma with irregular surface. B, Meningioma infiltrating the skull. C, Meningioma showing smooth and lobulated surface.

Histologically, meningiomas often infiltrate the dura and may involve mesenchymal tissue, including the skull, galea, and subcutaneous tissue (Fig. 6-1B).

Bone infiltration induces cranial hyperostosis, which consists of bony spicules that radiate from the outer and inner tables. The scalp masses associated with hyperostotic meningiomas may be associated with either galea elevation or penetration and can be the presenting sign of disease.²

Histologically, choroid plexus owes its configuration to invagination of vessels, mesenchyme, and leptomeninges along the choroidal fissure. Thus, it is not surprising that meningiomas are encountered within choroid plexus stroma. Although infrequent, they involve the lateral,²² third,² and even the fourth²³ ventricles. Meningiomas involving the pineal region are rare.²

Orbital meningiomas originating from the optic nerve sheath are uncommon. Anatomically, only a small proportion of orbital meningiomas originate as intradural masses; others lie free within orbital soft tissues.² Understandably, patients are presented with strabismus, ptosis, and visual disturbance.

Almost all spinal meningiomas are intradural and extramedullary. Many expand at the expense of the adjacent spinal cord and produce segmental neurologic deficits.² The cervicothoracic level is most often affected. Nearly all tumors arise either ventral or lateral to the nerve root exit zone, areas wherein meningothelial cells are normally concentrated. Spinal meningiomas are rarely intramedullary. In contrast to intracranial meningiomas, spinal meningiomas rarely involve surrounding bone. The female predilection is much higher than that of intracranial lesions, the ratio being almost 10 to 1.² Histologic meningioma subtypes with a clear proclivity for the spinal axis include the psammomatous and clear cell variants.

Another subset of meningiomas, either intracranial or intraspinal, is epidural in location. Although dura-based, their bulk lies outside the dura. Lastly, rare meningiomas arise within bone. Such intraosseous meningiomas usually affect the skull (diploic meningioma) where they presumably originate from meningothelial rests.² Also among these are meningiomas of the ear (petrous bone) and temporal bone.²⁴

Rare sites of occurrence of meningiomas include the sinonasal tract,²⁵ skin, lungs,²⁶ mediastinum and peripheral nerves.² Such ectopic meningiomas are thought to originate in part by direct extension along soft tissue planes, whereas others are truly ectopic. For example, meningiomas in lungs and/or mediastinum presumably take their origin from discrete, microscopic nests of cells with histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of meningothelium. Molecular studies of microdissection specimens suggest that isolated pulmonary lesions may not be neoplasms, whereas multifocal examples may be true tumors or intermediate, precursor lesions.^2,27,28

GROSS FINDINGS

Most meningiomas are well delineated, soft to rubbery in consistency, and discrete with smooth or lobulated surfaces (Fig. 6-1C).

The attachment of meningiomas to dura is typically by a broad base.^3,13,29–31 The majority are soft in texture, but fibrous meningiomas are decidedly more firm. The microcystic subtype may, in part, be grossly cystic and often shows intimate attachment to the brain surface. Invasion of underlying dura is a common finding. In contrast, meningiomas envelope but almost never invade blood vessels other than venous sinuses. Perivascular space involvement may, to some extent, facilitate extradural extension and soft tissue involvement. In addition, extension through bony foramina or fissures permits involvement of adjacent extracranial compartments, such as the orbit or skull base.²

Occasional meningiomas are coarse and grainy in consistency due to the presence of abundant microcalcifications termed “psammoma bodies.” Such tumors often occur in spinal dura or in the olfactory groove. In contrast, metaplastic bone formation is very uncommon, being most frequent in spinal examples. As noted in the preceding text, meningiomas infiltrating or penetrating bone stimulate remarkable hyperostosis. As previously noted at sites such as over the sphenoid wing, meningiomas grow carpet-like as “en plaque” meningioma.^32,33 Such tumors pose an operative challenge. On occasion, heavy lipidization renders a tumor bright yellow. In contrast, rare metaplastic tumors with myxomatous features are gray and translucent.²

Meningiomas often compress adjacent brain but only infrequently show parenchymal invasion. As a rule, they push the leptomeninges before them, creating a margin that serves as a cleavage plane. Microcystic variants are somewhat of an exception, often being broadly attached to the pial surface. Atypical and anaplastic meningiomas, being larger than benign examples,³⁴ often have a more extensive and irregular tumor–brain interface. Such tumors may not be cleanly removed, particularly if perivascular (Virchow–Robin) space involvement or cortical invasion is present. Recurrent tumors are also less well defined and are more likely to be adherent to the brain or to encase nerves and vessels.²

HISTOLOGIC SUBTYPING OF MENINGIOMAS

Although all meningiomas are derived from meningothelial cells, they exhibit a wide variety of histologic appearances.^3,29–33 According to the 2007 WHO classification, meningothelial, fibrous and transitional subtypes are most common. On balance, the majority of meningioma subtypes are grade I and follow an uneventful clinical course. Grade II (atypical) and grade III (malignant) examples are far more likely to behave in an aggressive manner. Nonetheless, metastases are rare. Histologically, grades II (atypical, chordoid and clear cell tumors), as well as grade II (anaplastic, papillary, and rhabdoid tumors) comprise the groups of intermediate and high-grade meningiomas. Compared to grade I tumors, those of grade II are 8-fold more likely to recur after gross total removal. Grade III lesions behave in a frankly malignant manner (Table 6-1).^2,32,33 The issue of meningioma grading according to various histologic parameters is discussed in the text that follows.

TABLE 6-1 Histologic subtypes of meningiomas according to WHO Grade.

Meningiomas show a wide variety of histologic appearances. Many are of no prognostic significance. Histologic features of grade II lesions vary and include both histologic patterns and tumors featuring specific parameters (see later). Simply finding occasional mitoses and pleomorphic nuclei does not indicate aggressive clinical behavior. Histologic parameters used to diagnose atypical meningiomas (see later) are applied independently of tumor subtype, although some patterns are, by definition, grade II or III. Although most meningiomas demonstrate features of at least one of the categories described below, mixed patterns are common. The recent 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of meningiomas is based largely upon the expression of relatively specific morphologic features.^32,33

Histologic Meningioma Subtypes

Meningothelial meningioma

Once termed “syncytial meningioma,” the meningothelial variant is the most common and archetypic form of meningioma. It consists of varying sized lobules of neoplastic cells with indistinct borders (Fig. 6-2A).

FIGURE 6-2 A, Meningothelial meningioma demonstrating its typical “syncytial appearance.” B, Partial clearing of nucleus due to glycogen deposition known as pseudoinclusion. C, Nuclear inclusions (pseudoinclusion) are glycogen containing demonstrated by PAS with diastase.

The intricate manner in which tumor cell membranes are ultrastructurally seen to be interwoven explains why cell border may not be discernible at the light microscopic level. Fibrous tissue is typically lacking in meningothelial tumors. Whorls and psammoma bodies are relatively uncommon in meningothelial tumors.

The cells demonstrate classic cytologic features of meningothelium including round to oval nuclei, delicate chromatin, small solitary nucleoli, and variable numbers of nuclear-cytoplasmic inclusions surrounded by marginated chromatin. Glycogen containing, such inclusions can be found in many meningioma variants (Fig. 6-2B, C).

The frequently generous size of some lobules should not be confused with the “sheeting” or loss of architectural pattern often seen in atypical meningioma.

In small biopsy specimens, reactive meningothelial hyperplasia accompanying other processes may simulate meningioma. Florid examples are seen in association with optic nerve glioma, adjacent to tumors such as schwannoma, chronic renal disease, “arachnoiditis ossificans,” advanced patient age, and occasionally in association with diffuse dural thickening (“pachymeningitis”).³⁵

Fibrous meningioma

Fibrous meningiomas are relatively uncommon, particularly in pure form. The pattern is often partly represented in transitional meningiomas (see later). The fibrous variant consists of elongate, spindle cells forming parallel or storiform arrangements in association with variably collagen-rich matrix (Fig. 6-3).

FIGURE 6-3 Fibrous meningiomas consist of elongated cells in a collagen-rich matrix.

The designation “fibrous” is also loosely applied when cellular elongation is pronounced, despite relative lack of collagen.

Nuclei are often somewhat hyperchromatic and more elongated than those of the transitional meningiomas. Nuclear pseudoinclusions, whorls, and psammoma bodies are less frequent, but calcification of collagen bundles or of vasculature may be seen.²

Transitional meningioma

Featuring a combination of common findings, transitional meningiomas represent the prototypical meningioma. Architecturally, most are intermediate between meningothelial and fibrous lesions. In many tumors, the epicenters of lobules appear syncytial, whereas elongate, more fibrous cells stream from their peripheries. Eye-catching tight whorls are a regular feature as are scattered psammoma bodies (Fig. 6-4A, B).

FIGURE 6-4 A, Transitional meningioma with prominent lobules, whorls, collagenized vessels. B, Psammoma bodies.

Psammomatous meningioma

This designation is applied to meningiomas containing hyperabundant psammoma bodies (Fig. 6-5).

FIGURE 6-5 Psammomatous meningiomas contain numerous psammoma bodies.

The term “psammomatous” is not limited to tumors of a specific histologic subtype, but most tumors are transitional. Psammoma bodies, when abundant, may become confluent, forming irregular calcified masses and occasionally being associated with bone. Rare tumors are nearly replaced by psammoma bodies, meningothelial cells being hard to find. As previously noted, such tumors favor the spinal meninges and/or olfactory groove and usually affect middle-aged women.³³ As a rule, psammomatous tumors are biologically benign (WHO grade I).²

Angiomatous meningioma

Meningiomas of almost any type can be highly vascularized, but most are basically meningothelial or transitional in pattern. The nonspecific term “angiomatous meningioma” is applied to such vessel-rich tumors (Fig. 6-6).

FIGURE 6-6 Angiomatous meningioma rich in small- or medium-sized, with markedly hyalinized walls.

The vascular channels vary in morphology from small to large and from thin-walled to thick and hyalinized. The vast majority of angiomatous tumors are clinically and histologically benign, despite moderate to marked degenerative nuclear atypia. Depending on vessel size and architecture, the differential diagnosis includes both hemangioblastoma and vascular malformations. The former comes into consideration due to frequent xanthic change. The designation angiomatous should not be equated with the now obsolete term “angioblastic meningioma,” which was once applied to hemangiopericytoma. Accompanying cerebral edema may be out of proportion to tumor size.³³

Microcystic meningioma

Histologically, this distinctive variant of meningioma is characterized by cells with thin, elongate processes encompassing intercellular microcysts containing pale, eosinophilic mucoid fluid. By and large, they are hypo- to moderately cellular, exhibit a loose texture, and feature considerable vascular hyalinization.^36,37 The neoplastic cells often show some degrees of xanthomatous change (Fig. 6-7A, B) and occasional brightly eosinophilic, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive, hyaline droplets (Fig. 6-7C).

FIGURE 6-7 A, Microcystic meningioma bearing cobweb microcystic quality with eye-catching elongated cell processes. B, Tumor holding intercellular fluid-filled spaces and neoplastic cells with xanthomatous change. C, Brightly eosinophilic, PAS-positive, hyaline droplets. D, Microcystic meningioma with scattered large pleomorphic nuclei.

Given its vascularity, foamy cells, and scattered large pleomorphic nuclei (Fig. 6-7D), this type of meningioma can also mimic hemangioblastoma.

The distinction rests upon tumor location and immunohistochemistry: epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)- and progesterone receptor positivity as well as lack of neuron specific enolase (NSE), inhibin, and aquaporin^38,39 staining.

No prognostic significance is attached to the microcystic pattern, although this tumor is more likely than other grade I lesions to attach broadly to the surface of the brain and to be edema associated.³⁷ They are also over-represented among meningiomas with large cysts.²

Secretory meningioma

The hallmark of this tumor variant is the presence of focal epithelial differentiation in the form of intracellular lumina containing discrete, brightly eosinophilic, PAS-positive secretion in the form of so-called “pseudopsammoma bodies.” These are usually seen in tumors with basically meningothelial or transitional histology (Fig. 6-8A).

FIGURE 6-8 A, Secretory meningioma featuring intracellular lumina containing single or multiple, spherical eosinophilic globules. B, Intracellular lumina containing PAS-positive pseudopsammoma bodies (C) are surrounded by pancytokeratin-positive cells.

Secretory meningiomas occur mainly in women and frequently originate over the frontal lobes or sphenoid ridge.^40–43 Pseudopsammoma bodies must be distinguished from the larger, laminated, basophilic, and calcium-rich psammoma bodies that generally originate at the centers of whorls. Pseudopsammoma bodies are intracellular, often multiple within a single cell, red rather than blue, solid rather than laminated, and are independent of whorls. Further, they are immunoreactive for CEA and are surrounded by pancytokeratin-positive cells (Fig. 6-8B, C).

Lastly, pseudopsammoma bodies might be misdiagnosed as microcalcifications. Mast cells may be particularly numerous, and peritumoral edema can be significant.^33,44

No prognostic significance is attached to secretory meningioma, although they are nearly always of WHO grade I and associated with a favorable prognosis. Peritumoral edema is prominent around some examples.⁴³ Elevated serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have been reported to increase with tumor growth and fall after resection.⁴⁵

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma

This rare meningioma variant features extensive chronic inflammatory infiltrates. What prompts this impressive lymphocyte and plasma cell response is unclear (Fig. 6-9).⁴⁶

FIGURE 6-9 This meningioma type shows a pronounced chronic inflammatory response consisting of lymphocytes and plasma cells in varying proportion.

In any event, they dominate the lesion and often obscure the neoplastic component. Russell bodies are frequent and germinal centers may be present.² The very existence of lymphoplasmacytoid meningioma as a distinct clinicopathologic entity has been questioned, since its behavior often resembles that of an inflammatory process.⁴⁷ Systemic hematologic abnormalities, including hyperglobulinemia and iron refractory anemia have been documented in some cases.^2,33

Metaplastic meningiomas

Metaplastic variants, in addition to showing a baseline meningotheliomatous or transitional pattern, feature various mesenchymal elements including bone, cartilage, fat (Fig. 6-10A), and myxoid or xanthomatous tissue⁴⁸ (Fig. 6-10B).

FIGURE 6-10 A, Metaplastic variants may feature adipose tissue. B, Xanthomatous change.

These may occur singly or in combination. Bone formation may supervene in tumors with abundant psammoma bodies. Bone may also arise in mineralization of stromal fibrous tissue. Metaplastic bone should be distinguished from reactive bone overrun by invasive meningiomas. Whereas xanthomatous change is usually a focal feature of meningiomas, it occasionally dominates the histologic picture. In being an accumulation of microvascular fat in meningothelial cells, it differs from equally uncommon adipose cell metaplasia. Myxoid metaplasia is rare.^2,33 Whether meningiomas showing oncocytic transformation can be considered metaplastic is unsettled; in any event, such rare tumors are thought to be relatively aggressive.^48–51

Rare meningiomas exhibit perivascular proliferation of pericytes, a feature that may be prominent.⁵² Such tumors may be associated with inordinate peritumoral edema.⁵² Rare meningiomas feature glandular or pseudoglandular differentiation.² The clinical significance of these alterations, if any, is unclear.³³

A rare form of “collision” tumor affecting the nervous system consists of a meningioma intimately associated with a glioma.² While coincidence seems responsible in most cases, there has been speculation that the meningioma, or for that matter various mesenchymal tumors, may induce the glioma formation.⁵³ A spatially similar meningioma–schwannoma association has also been documented, affecting the cerebellopontine angle in the setting of NF I.⁵⁴

Unusual morphologic variations in ordinary meningiomas

As a reflection of the wide morphologic spectrum encountered in meningiomas, rare examples are difficult to classify. More pattern deviations than true variants, these include meningioma with widespread, sclerosing (Fig. 6-11), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing (doubtful) and granulofilamentous inclusion-bearing features,^49,55–57 and tumors featuring petal-like tyrosine crystals are a rare finding in meningiomas.⁵⁸

FIGURE 6-11 Meningioma featuring widespread sclerosis.

The majority of tumors once termed “pigmented meningiomas” are now known to be melanocytomas.^59,60 Lastly, recruitment of melanocytes from the adjacent meninges into the substance of a true meningioma accounts for the dark pigmentation of rare examples.^33,61 On occasion, meningiomas play host to metastatic carcinoma (Fig. 6-12A, B)^62–64 or leukemia.⁶⁵

FIGURE 6-12 A, Fibrous meningiomas. B, Hosting metastatic adenocarcinoma.