Case Report: Meningothelial Hamartoma of the Scalp in a 9‐Year‐Old Child

Abstract

Meningothelial hamartomas represent a collection of meningothelial elements in an ectopic location. Lesions are histologically characterized as a proliferation of connective tissue elements and small- and medium-sized vessels admixed with meningothelial elements. Lesions are most often located on the scalp, present at birth, and do not extend past the subcutis. We discuss the case of a 9-year-old African American girl presenting with one such lesion on the parietal aspect of the scalp.

Congenital, Painless Linear Plaque on the Scalp of an 18‐Month‐Old Child

“…It generally presents at birth or in early childhood, with no clear sex or race predilection. To our knowledge, 18 cases have been reported in the international literature . The origin of this hamartoma has yet to be fully understood.…”

“…It might arise from ectopic arachnoid cells displaced during embryogenesis. Alternatively, it could result from a cellular abortive migration from the neural crest or from an extrusion through a pathologic extracranial connection . The clinical behavior is benign and surgical excision is curative.…”

“…Midline neural tube defects must be excluded; a case of extension to the pericranium and a case of extension to the intracranial compartment have been reported to date . Thus ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging should always be performed to define the extension, to exclude involvement of the underlying bony or intracranial neural tissues , and to exclude associated structural abnormalities in the skull . Ultrasound is a good first‐line examination that can be followed by magnetic resonance imaging when a suspicious sign is noted.…”

Meningothelial Hamartoma Associated with Nevus Sebaceus

“…Other terms, such as rudimentary meningocele and primary cutaneous meningioma , have also been used in the literature to describe these lesions. A recent review of 16 cases by Curran‐Melendez et al revealed that meningothelial hamartomas arise primarily on the posterior scalp, although lesions on the forehead have been reported. Most lesions are found in young children, with a few reports in adults.…”

Meningothelial hamartoma of the scalp

“…Soft tissue masses of the scalp are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Among these, lipoma is the most common benign tumor; only 13% of them are seen in the head and neck [1]. Nevertheless, the incidence of lipoma on the scalp comprises 30%, followed by that of trichilemmal cysts [2].…”