Extra-axial primary meningeal pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: a case report

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of a brain tumor that mimics a meningioma and discusses its treatment options.

Contribution

The paper presents the fourth documented case of a rare extra-axial pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.

Findings

The tumor presented as an extra-axial mass in a 23-year-old woman with seizures and raised intracranial pressure.

The case highlights the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing this tumor from a meningioma.

The authors review and discuss possible treatment approaches for this rare condition.

Abstract

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare low-grade glial neoplasm of the central nervous system accounting for less than 1% of all astrocytomas. Similar to other gliomas, it can rarely arise from glial nests in the meninges, manifesting as an extra-axial mass mimicking a meningioma. Extra axial PXA is an extremely rare entity. Therefore, there are no standardized guidelines. In this article, we report the fourth case, so far, of a solitary primary extra-axial PXA mimicking a meningioma in a 23-year-old woman who presented with temporal seizures and features of raised intracranial pressure. Through this case, we tried to discuss all treatment options.

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