[Ectopic meningioma in oral and maxillofacial region: report of 23 cases].

PURPOSE: To analyse the clinical features and treatment of ectopic meningioma (EM) in oral and maxillofacial region.

METHODS

Twenty-three cases of EM in the oral and maxillofacial region from 1990 to 2008 were reviewed. The clinical features, image findings, surgical treatment and follow-up results were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of these patients was 37 years old and there was no gender predilection, but there were more female patients in the group of over 40 years old. The primary sites of the tumor were parapharyngeal space(13), infratemporal space/ pterygopalatine space(5), temporal region(3),orbital area (1) and buccal mucosa(1). The CT image of EM in the oral and maxillofacial region was similar to that in the brain. All 23 cases underwent surgical treatment, seventeen cases underwent the tumor totally resected and 6 cases underwent partially resected. Twelve cases were followed up, in which 3 cases recurred and 8 cases had a long-term nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONS

EM in the oral and maxillofacial region mainly occurs in adolescent, middle-aged patients and females over 40 years old. The predilection site of the tumor is the deep space of oral and maxillofacial region with adherence to the cervical sheath and lower cranial nerves. Preoperative CT scan is helpful for diagnosis. The main choice of treatment is total resection. The main complication is nerve injury.