Rare case of tentorial cavernous malformation mimicking a meningioma: illustrative case

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cavernous malformations of the dura, especially of the tentorium, are exceedingly rare. In the available literature, only 10 cases have been described to date. OBSERVATIONS The authors present the case of a 46-year-old male patient with a 1-cm infratentorial lesion suspicious for meningioma that was found on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed for vertigo. The lesion was followed for 1.5 years with no change in signal and size. Nevertheless, the patient was concerned about the lesion and requested removal. The removal was successful and without any neurological sequelae. However, histological evaluation demonstrated a cavernous malformation. Postoperative computed tomography and MRI showed complete removal. Preoperative MRI characteristics, intraoperative images, and a video, as well as histological evaluation, are shown. The case is discussed with respect to the literature. LESSONS Cavernous malformations of the tentorium are extremely rare and mimic meningiomas; thus, they need to be taken into account. DOTATOC positron emission tomography may help to differentiate in these cases. Considering the cases reported in the literature, in cases of large tumors, preoperative angiography and possibly embolization may be helpful. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24168