Catamenial Visual Loss Associated With an Anterior Clinoid Meningioma

Abstract

The incidence of meningiomas is approximately twice as high in women as in men. Progesterone and oestrogen receptors are frequently expressed in meningiomas.

Here, the authors report an unusual case of a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who exhibited an episode of optic neuritis in the left eye 17 years prior to diagnosis. The patient has experienced no additional episodes of optic neuritis since then. However, the patient presented with recurrent unilateral vision loss coinciding with the occurrence of menstruation for several months. Initially, these episodes were accompanied by the complete recovery of vision following menstruation. However, the recovery of vision became only partial over time. After surgery, the anatomic pathology report was compatible with a transitional benign meningioma (World Health Organization [WHO] Class I) with the presence of progesterone receptors.

A review of the published literature revealed that this phenomenon has not been described or reported. Although the exact role of these hormone receptors in meningiomas is still unknown, it is likely that the important hormonal regulation of meningiomas is mediated through these receptors.

KEYWORDS::

• Meningioma
• Optic neuropathy
• Progesterone

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.