Recurrent lumbosacral metastases from intracranial meningioma. Report of a case and review of the literature.

We report a case of a 31 year-old woman who in 1991 presented a clinical history of headaches, nausea and vomiting. CT scan showed a right frontotemporal meningioma. The first operation achieved a macroscopically complete resection. The tumour was histologically classified as a transitional meningioma. There were recurrences of the intracranial meningioma in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998. These recurrences were accompanied by differentiation to atypical and anaplastic meningioma. In all of these operations, a macroscopically complete resection of the tumour was performed. In 1996 adjuvant radiation therapy was given. In 1998 therapy with bromocriptine was adopted. In April 1999, the patient presented with lumbosacral pain associated with L5 bilateral sciatica. MRI showed a gadolinium enhancing mass lesion at L5-S1 level. Complete tumour resection was performed. The histological findings were the same as in 1998. In December 1999 the patient presented with perineal pain and MRI showed a L4 and S3 recurrence and the tumour was resected. The histological findings were those of a malignant meningioma. In February 2000 an intracranial recurrence was detected and operated on. The histological diagnosis was malignant meningioma. A review of the literature was undertake and is discussed.