Recurrent calcified spinal meningioma detected by plain radiograph.
METHODS
A case report of a patient presenting with a rare calcified spinal meningioma that recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after initial surgery was performed.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate a calcified recurrent spinal meningioma visible on a plain radiograph. The present case is discussed in conjunction with a review of previous cases of calcified spinal meningioma.


BACKGROUND
Meningioma is a common spinal tumor that has a favorable prognosis if resected completely. Microscopic calcification is frequently found in spinal meningiomas because of psammoma bodies. However, calcified meningiomas in the spinal canal that can be detected on a plain radiograph are uncommon. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous reports of recurrent spinal meningioma with calcification visible on a plain radiograph.


METHODS
A patient experienced difficulty in walking and was diagnosed as having a spinal meningioma. Laminectomies and a total tumor excision were performed. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a psammomatous meningioma. The tumor recurred and became symptomatic 33 years after the initial operation. The tumor was detected on a plain radiograph, appearing as a calcified tumor at the same thoracic level as the site of the initial operation. The recurrent tumor was completely removed, and a histologic examination showed huge psammoma bodies with calcification, but without ossification.


RESULTS
Preoperative paraplegia improved after the surgery, and she was able to walk with a crutch. The patient was discharged from the hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
The recurrent psammomatous meningioma contained clusters of calcified psammoma bodies, resulting in a hard tumor that was visible on a plain radiograph.
Doita
M
M
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Meiwa Hospital, Nishinomiya, Japan. doita@med.kobe-u.ac.jp
Harada
T
T
Nishida
K
K
Marui
T
T
Kurosaka
M
M
Yoshiya
S
S
D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012086:Reoperation; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016138:Walking