Clear cell meningioma in a 22-month-old male: update after five years

We report a case of spinal clear-cell meningioma occurring in a 22-month-old male who presented a right limp and then refused to walk. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large, intradural tumor from T(11) to L(4), which was totally excised. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful and 5 months after surgery he began walking again. The latest follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine, obtained 42 months after diagnosis, was negative for tumor recurrence. Though clear-cell meningioma is a rare form of meningioma, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any space-occupying lesion of the spine arising in very young children. Complete surgical removal is necessary because it is potentially aggressive and may recur. After surgery, an accurate follow-up is warranted. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel