World neurosurgery | 2019
Meningioma originating from the hypoglossal canal: Case report and review of literature.
Abstract
Primary extracranial meningiomas are uncommon neoplasms. In particular, meningioma involving the hypoglossal canal is extremely rare, with only four cases reported in the literature so far. As each of these meningiomas originated in the juxta-condyle region with involving the hypoglossal canal, to the best of our knowledge, a meningioma which exists only within hypoglossal canal has yet to be reported. We present a case of primary extracranial meningioma arising solely from the hypoglossal canal. A 62-year-old woman presented with long-term difficulty in tongue movement. Her tongue was deviated to the right, and neurological examination revealed fasciculation and muscle wasting on the right side of the tongue. Computed tomography revealed a calcification in the right hypoglossal canal. Magnetic resonance imaging further demonstrated a hypointense tumor on both T1- and T2-weighted images, with contrast enhancement in the right condyle. Total tumor removal was performed via a transcondylar approach, and histopathology confirmed the presence of a transitional meningioma. No recurrence was observed at 14 months of follow-up. Tongue atrophy was slightly improved and deviation completely disappeared. We present the extremely rare case of hypoglossal canal meningioma. Total tumor removal via a transcondylar approach resulted in the recovery of hypoglossal nerve function.