Intracranial meningiomas revealed by non-traumatic subdural haematomas: a series of four cases

Abstract

Objective: A review of the literature shows 33 cases of ipsilateral subdural haematomas (SDH) associated with meningiomas. We suggest that physiopathological mechanisms could be primary haemorrhages from abnormal vessels in the tumours and the opening of the intratumoral haematomas into the subdural space. Our working hypothesis relies on a series of 300 meningiomas operated upon in our department since 1990; of these, 4 were revealed by SDH.

Clinical presentation: The four patients surgically treated in our department had developed a progressive impairment of consciousness. There was no history of trauma, blood dyscrasia or anticoagulant therapy. After diagnosis, the SDH was drained, and the meningeal tumour was totally resected once it had been discovered. In one case, the presence of a tumour was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed only after the evacuation of a recurrent SDH.

Intervention: In each case, an acute SDH showing signs of recent bleeding was evacuated. The meningeal tumour discovered proved to be the source of the haemorrhage because of the numerous fresh blood clots both around and inside it.

Histology: In the four cases histology showed fresh intratumoral haemorrhages (ITH), large blood vessels with thin endothelial linings and haemosiderin deposits. In this review, SDH is associated with other haemorrhage sites in 24 of 37 cases (33+our 4 cases). ITH was present in 14 cases (40%).

Conclusion: The treatment should consist of the extirpation of the meningioma at the same time as the evacuation of the haematoma. If primary ITH from abnormal vessels is the source of SDH, complete meningioma resection should prevent the recurrence of SDH. Subdural membranes and haematomas should therefore be inspected for their intrinsic pathology, especially when there is no history of trauma.