Brain Meningiomas Manifesting as Intracranial Hemorrhage: Comprehensive Systematic Review and Report of the First Case of Hemorrhagic Meningiomatosis.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the salient features of hemorrhagic manifestation of meningiomas and to report on the first case of hemorrhagic meningiomatosis.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic review of the English-language literature was performed using MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases to identify case reports and series of brain meningiomas manifesting as intracranial hemorrhage.

RESULTS

A total of 65 patients were evaluated. Most patients were female (64.6%). The average age at presentation was 58.1 ± 14.3 years. The most common presenting symptom was focal neurologic deficits (n = 47; 71.2%). Identification of tumor was missed/not possible in 24.6% of patients. The most common reported comorbidity was hypertension. Most tumors were located in convexity (n = 36; 55.3%). Subdural hematoma (± other hemorrhages) was the most common type of intracranial hemorrhage (n = 46; 70.7%). Computed tomography hyperintensity (25.7%) and magnetic resonance imaging T2 hypointensity (22%) were the most prevalent radiologic findings. The predominant histopathology subtype was meningothelial (syncytial) (n = 24; 36.4%). The estimated mortality was 13.8%. Among those who survived, 39.9% had residual deficits at a median follow-up of 8.1 ± 5.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracranial hemorrhage induced by meningiomas is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Identifying unexpected meningioma in the setting of intracranial bleed can help optimize preoperative planning (e.g., surgical approach) and facilitate total resection of the underlying tumor. Therefore, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion with a low threshold for investigation of meningiomas in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage.