Long-term control after resection and gamma knife surgery of an intracranial clear cell meningioma. Case report

Clear cell meningioma (CCM) is a rare variant of meningioma characterized by sheets of polygonal cells with clear cytoplasm, a feature attributable to its high glycogen content. Authors have described its propensity to recur and metastasize despite its benign pathological characteristics. Clinical response to radiation in these reports has varied. The authors present the case of a 7-year-old girl with a large petroclival CCM who underwent a staged subtotal resection and subsequent gamma knife surgery (GKS). Initially, the residual tumor decreased in size, but 6 years later, it had regrown (9 mm in size). A second GKS treatment was performed and the mass completely regressed without further complication. The findings in this case suggest that GKS is a safe and effective adjunct for residual and recurrent CCM after resection. The delayed recurrence also emphasizes the importance of undertaking close follow-up examination after treating this potentially aggressive variant of meningioma.