Posters
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Medical Student
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Medical Student
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Poster
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Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Case Report
Abstract
Background: Meningiomas are the most common CNS tumors and are associated with complications including localized neurological impairments, seizures, and reduced quality of life. These tumors have an incidence twice as high in women as in men, increasing with age and peaking in the seventh and eighth decades of life. The main risk factor for developing meningiomas is exposure to ionizing radiation, although research suggests hormones also contribute. The higher incidence in women, presence of hormone receptors in some tumors, and changes during pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and menopause, suggest a hormonal link. While pregnancy does not increase meningioma incidence, symptoms can appear suddenly. This work aims to underscore the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for intracranial space-occupying lesions, such as meningiomas, in pregnant patients. Although these tumors are relatively rare during pregnancy, they should not be overlooked due to their increased incidence in women compared to men, likely influenced by female sex hormones. This case also highlights a multidisciplinary approach's critical role in protecting maternal and fetal well-being.
Case Presentation: We present a clinical case of a 36-year-old Latino female at 33.3 weeks of gestation, classified as a high-risk pregnant patient due to her BMI (38.1) and hypothyroidism. She presented with a clinical manifestation of intense headache, 4 days of persistent vomiting, abdominal distension, and chronic constipation. Her obstetric history included three pregnancies, two delivered by cesarean section, and no prior diagnosis of pre-eclampsia or other pregnancy-related complications. Imaging revealed a cystic meningoendothelial meningioma with brain edema and midline shift. An emergency cesarean section followed by tumor resection led to symptom improvement. Ten months post-surgery, the patient continued attending follow-up appointments. At her most recent evaluation, she reported no headaches or vomiting since her discharge. Neurological assessment showed spontaneous eye-opening, full movement of all four extremities without motor or sensory deficits, and resolution of hemianopsia. She reported complete resolution of her visual symptoms. A brain CT with contrast confirmed the absence of residual tumor, midline deviation, or cerebral edema.
Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the complexity of managing a high-risk pregnant woman diagnosed with a meningoendothelial meningioma, a condition that is notably rare but can lead to severe complications if not promptly recognized. The successful management, including emergency cesarean section followed by tumor resection, highlights the importance of considering meningiomas in the differential diagnosis of neurological symptoms during pregnancy. Furthermore, this case underscores the need for increased awareness and research into the hormonal mechanisms driving meningioma progression, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for pregnant patients facing similar challenges.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Blake C.; Garcia Valdez, Kevin; Murambadoro, Anesu Karen; Patel, Tirath; Gadad, Bharathi S.; and Baker, Kelsey, "Comprehensive management of a high-risk pregnant woman with a meningoendothelial meningioma: A case report" (2025). Research Symposium. 39.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/39
Included in
Comprehensive management of a high-risk pregnant woman with a meningoendothelial meningioma: A case report
Background: Meningiomas are the most common CNS tumors and are associated with complications including localized neurological impairments, seizures, and reduced quality of life. These tumors have an incidence twice as high in women as in men, increasing with age and peaking in the seventh and eighth decades of life. The main risk factor for developing meningiomas is exposure to ionizing radiation, although research suggests hormones also contribute. The higher incidence in women, presence of hormone receptors in some tumors, and changes during pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and menopause, suggest a hormonal link. While pregnancy does not increase meningioma incidence, symptoms can appear suddenly. This work aims to underscore the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for intracranial space-occupying lesions, such as meningiomas, in pregnant patients. Although these tumors are relatively rare during pregnancy, they should not be overlooked due to their increased incidence in women compared to men, likely influenced by female sex hormones. This case also highlights a multidisciplinary approach's critical role in protecting maternal and fetal well-being.
Case Presentation: We present a clinical case of a 36-year-old Latino female at 33.3 weeks of gestation, classified as a high-risk pregnant patient due to her BMI (38.1) and hypothyroidism. She presented with a clinical manifestation of intense headache, 4 days of persistent vomiting, abdominal distension, and chronic constipation. Her obstetric history included three pregnancies, two delivered by cesarean section, and no prior diagnosis of pre-eclampsia or other pregnancy-related complications. Imaging revealed a cystic meningoendothelial meningioma with brain edema and midline shift. An emergency cesarean section followed by tumor resection led to symptom improvement. Ten months post-surgery, the patient continued attending follow-up appointments. At her most recent evaluation, she reported no headaches or vomiting since her discharge. Neurological assessment showed spontaneous eye-opening, full movement of all four extremities without motor or sensory deficits, and resolution of hemianopsia. She reported complete resolution of her visual symptoms. A brain CT with contrast confirmed the absence of residual tumor, midline deviation, or cerebral edema.
Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the complexity of managing a high-risk pregnant woman diagnosed with a meningoendothelial meningioma, a condition that is notably rare but can lead to severe complications if not promptly recognized. The successful management, including emergency cesarean section followed by tumor resection, highlights the importance of considering meningiomas in the differential diagnosis of neurological symptoms during pregnancy. Furthermore, this case underscores the need for increased awareness and research into the hormonal mechanisms driving meningioma progression, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for pregnant patients facing similar challenges.
