Types of Meningiomas

Meningiomas are a common type of brain tumor that develops slowly in the meninges, or the area that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are benign and can vary greatly in size and location. 

Joshua Bederson, MD, Chairman of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai and his team are skilled at recognizing and treating various types of meningiomas. They oversee more than 500 benign brain tumor patients a year.

The Mount Sinai Meningioma Program treats many types of meningiomas, including:

Convexity Meningioma

Convexity meningiomas grow toward the front of the brain, on its surface. This is a common type of meningioma, with almost 20 percent falling into this category. These types of meningiomas often do not present symptoms until the tumor becomes large. If symptoms are present, the patient may experience seizures and headaches, as well as neurological impairment.

Falcine and Parasagittal Meningioma

These types of meningiomas grow between the two sides of the brain, where numerous large blood vessels live. This type of meningioma can interfere with blood circulation in the brain, if the meningioma is sitting on surrounding blood vessels.

Intraventricular Meningioma

Intraventricular meningiomas grow within the ventricles of the brain, which carry cerebrospinal fluid throughout. A tumor in this area can block the flow of the fluid and can produce headaches and dizziness.

Spinal Meningioma

Spinal meningiomas are less common and typically occur in middle-aged women. The tumors press against the spinal cord in the thoracic region of the chest and can cause back pain, numbness and tingling due to the pressure surrounding the mass.

Skull base meningiomas grow within the bones of the skull, in the sinus and around the eyes. Skull base meningiomas are more difficult to remove surgically because of their anatomic location. Skull base meningiomas also include:

Cavernous Sinus Meningiomas
Cavernous sinus meningiomas are rare tumors that affect the cavernous sinus, an area that controls eye movement and allows your face to feel sensations. Cavernous sinus meningiomas can cause double vision, dizziness and facial pain.

Clival Meningioma
Clival meningiomas are located on the underside of the cerebrum within the posterior cranial fossa. These types of meningiomas often grow as part of a larger lesion within the sphenoid bone.

Foramen Magnum Meningiomas
Foramen magnum meningiomas originate primarily within the foramen magnum, which is the opening through which the spinal cord passes from the brain.

Sphenoid Wing Meningioma
Sphenoid wing meningiomas form on the sphenoid ridge behind the eyes. These types of meningiomas can cause visual impairment and facial numbness. In severe cases, they can cause blindness.

Olfactory Groove Meningioma
Olfactory meningiomas grow near the olfactory nerve, located between the brain and the nose. An olfactory meningioma can cause a loss of smell, and if the tumor becomes very large, it can affect the optic nerves, resulting in visual impairment.

Posterior Fossa / Petrous Meningioma
Posterior fossa / petrous meningiomas are located on the underside of the brain. These types of meningiomas can cause facial pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia, and can produce spasms in the face.

Suprasellar Meningioma
Suprasellar meningiomas develop in an area near the pituitary gland and optic nerve at the base of the skull. These types of meningiomas are slow growing and can cause severe visual impairment in one or both of the eyes.

Tentorial Meningioma
Tentorial meningiomas are rare tumors that are located under the surface of the tentorium cerebella in the brain. These types of posterior fossa meningiomas can cause headaches, seizures and make it difficult to walk.