January 2003: 56-year-old female with right frontal tumor of the dura.

The January Case of the Month (COM). A 56 year-old female presented with a 5-month history of dizziness, focal motor seizures and progressive immobility. CT scan showed a large frontal tumor with a meningioma-like pattern. The patient underwent right frontal craniotomy and complete resection of the tumor. Biopsy showed lymphoid infiltrates consisting predominantly of centrocyte-like cells admixed with plasma cells and lymphoid follicles. Immunohistochemistry revealed CD20-positive cells and light chain restriction with reactive T cells. These appearances are characteristic of the MALT-type lymphomas. There was no evidence of systemic lymphoma. The patient is symptom-free 18 months after complete resection. MALT lymphoma is rare but recognized subtype of primary meningeal lymphoma. MALT lymphoma of dura tends to be relatively indolent, with excellent prognosis. It is suggested that meningeal MALT-type lymphoma may follow on from a pre-existing inflammatory process.