Pseudobulbar palsy caused by a large petroclival meningioma: report of two cases

Abstract

Two patients sought treatment for symptoms of bulbar motor dysfunction and the marked emotional lability that characterizes pseudobulbar palsy (PBP). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed large petroclival masses with severe compression and displacement of the brainstem. A suboccipital craniectomy with a transpetrosal, transtentorial approach to the tumor was performed in both patients. One patient required a second-stage surgery to resect an extension of the tumor into the cavernous sinus. In both patients pathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of syncytial meningioma. After surgery, PBP resolved in both patients. Large posterior fossa tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with a clinical picture of bulbar motor dysfunction coupled with emotional lability.