MENINGIOMAS ASSOCIATED WITH DIZZINESS

Timothy C. Hain, MD

Page last modified: October 19, 2009

Sagittal view of an incidental meningioma	Coronal view of an incidental meningioma affecting the temporal lobe (same as left)

Meningiomas are slowly growing tumors that arise from the coverings of the brain (the meninges). Most of them are "incidental", meaning that they are found during the course of an investigation for some other process. Incidental meningiomas are usually checked occasionally to see if they have enlarged, but otherwise are ignored.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Most meningiomas are asympatomatic. Dizziness is an occasional symptom, mainly when they occur in the "posterior fossa", which is the lower part of the brain including the cerebellum and brainstem.

MECHANISM OF DAMAGE

Dizziness associated with meningiomas mainly occurs when it impinges on the 8th nerve or the cerebellum. Because these tumors grow very slowly, people with them gradually accomodate to them over years, and often their effects are unnoticed.

DIAGNOSIS OF MENINGIOMA

Usually a Meningioma is found as a incidental finding on a scan of the brain. They "light up" with contrast on CT scan images, and they are also easily seen on MRI images.

MANAGEMENT OF MENINGIOMAS

Watchful waiting is the main management of meningiomas. If the tumors grow large enough to impair function, then they are removed surgically.

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