Pediatric Infratemporal Fossa Meningioma: Uncommon Presentation, Diagnostic Challenges, and Surgical Strategies

Abstract

Meningiomas, common tumors of the central nervous system, rarely manifest in extracranial locations, and their occurrence in children is exceptionally rare. This paper presents a comprehensive case study of a 10-year-old female patient diagnosed with an infratemporal fossa meningioma. Immunohistochemistry played a pivotal role in confirming the diagnosis, while CT scans and MRI aided in assessing tumor extension and planning the surgical approach. The tumor was successfully excised using a trans-mandibular osteotomy approach. A thorough literature review highlighted the scarcity of extracranial meningioma cases, particularly in children, and revealed four hypotheses explaining their unusual extracranial localization. Surgical excision remains the primary treatment, with radiation therapy considered for partial removal cases. The diagnostic challenges posed by the paucity of symptoms and the pivotal role of histological confirmation were discussed. This case underscores the importance of immunohistochemistry for diagnosis and initiates the management process for extracranial meningiomas, shedding light on their atypical clinical presentations and etiopathology.