Pediatric microcystic meningioma: a clinical, histological, and radiographic case-based review

Microcystic meningioma (MM) is a World Health Organization grade I tumor that is rare in the pediatric population. Meningiomas account for approximately 2-4 % of all childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors compared to approximately 20 % of all adult CNS tumors. The authors present one of the few confirmed cases of microcystic meningioma in a child and discuss the characteristic radiographic appearance and histological findings. We report the case of an 11-year-old boy who presented with first-time seizure and imaging consistent with brain tumor. There was significant vasogenic edema within the entire right hemisphere, disproportionate to the size of the falcine-based tumor. Histopathological analysis revealed the microcystic subtype of meningioma. We review the radiographic characteristics, histopathological findings, and reported pediatric cases of MM in conjunction with our case. MM has distinct radiographic characteristics (variable enhancement, lack of a dural tail, and disproportionate vasogenic edema) that can be misinterpreted in the pediatric population, suggesting a more aggressive tumor.