Clinicopathological analysis of rhabdoid meningiomas: report of 12 cases and a systematic review of the literature.

Background Rhabdoid meningioma (RM) is a rare subtype of meningioma, classified as World Health Organization grade III with a poor prognosis. Here we present our experience on RM and review relevant literature in an attempt to investigate the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of these tumors. Methods Twelve patients underwent surgical treatment for intracranial RMs between 2003 and 2008 in our department. The clinical data, radiological manifestations, pathological findings, treatments, and prognoses of the patients were analyzed retrospectively; 58 other cases reported previously by other institutions also were summarized and reviewed. Results These cases (6 men and 6 women, mean age 44.3 years old, ranging from 21 to 78 years old) constituted 0.28% of all meningioma patients admitted at our department during the same period. The mean duration of symptoms was relatively short at 1.6 months. There was no significant clinical manifestation noted, and the radiologic findings fell into 3 types of images. In the follow-up period of over 30 months, 7 patients died; 5 patients had recurrence and 2 patients died of unknown causes. Conclusions RM is a rare subtype of malignant meningioma featuring an increased tendency for recurrence and possible metastasis. It is still difficult to make a correct preoperative diagnosis. The overall prognosis for these patients is extremely poor, and the role of various adjuvant treatments needs to be further studied.