[Extrapyramidal symptoms in meningiomas].

We report 2 cases of sphenoid ridge meningeomas with symptoms of a parkinsonian sydrome, one of them contralaterally, the second bilaterally. Both did not respond to specific antiparkinson treatment. The extrapyramidal symptoms disappeared in both cases promptly after removal of the tumor. In the first case they reappeared temporary in connection with a local wound-infection. The histological examination of the second case, which died on a pulmonary emboly, showed no alterations of the cerebrum in the sense of an idiopathic or postencephalitic M. Parkinson. The authors try to show possible corrlations by means of the relevant literature (total 75 cases). It is found, that extrapyramidal symptoms do not allow uniequivocal localising or specific conclusions referring the kind of tumor or lesion. Nevertheless the meningeomas preponderate, excluding the basal infiltrating tumors. Referring to the localisation, the frontal located meningeomas preponderate. The bilateral meningeomas all lead to bilateral extrapyramidal symptoms. Next it especially also the frontal meningeomas of convexity mostly cause bilateral extrapyramidal symptoms. In the majority of cases the diately after operation, the rest during weeks to months. Finally the authors discuss the possible pathophysiologic mechanism of origin according to the literature.