[Case of giant meningioma of the small wing of the sphenoid bone in a 9-year-old boy]. / Przypadek olbrzymiego oponiaka skrzydla malego kosci klinowej u dziewiecioletniego chlopca

The authors report a boy aged 9 years in whom a giant meningioma of the small wing of the sphenoidal bone was removed surgically. Attention is called to the rarity of these tumours in the first decade of life. Developmental retardation, speech beginning at the age of 4 years, large head and epileptic seizures developing at the age of 7 years without signs of intracranial hypertension suggested the possibility of organic brain disease and development of massive hemiparesis, speech disturbances and choked disc in the last period of the disease were the cause of referral of the child to a neurosurgical unit. Plain skull films and angiography demonstrated changes typical of raised intracranial pressure and presence of an expanding lesion in the left cerebral hemisphere. Meningioma was found on operation hidden within the left frontal and temporal lobes but connected by means of a narrow band to the dura of the small wing of the sphenoidal bone. A good result was obtained. Follow-up examination after 2 years demonstrated slight neurological abnormalities and a very good general state of the child.