Secretory Meningioma with Elevated Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen

Abstract

A 57-year old woman is diagnosed with a cavernous sinus meningioma, which is accompanied by an elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The pathological findings revealed a secretory meningioma containing numerous pseudopsammoma bodies that tested strongly periodic acid-Schiff positive. Secretory meningioma is a rare histological variant that is characterized by a unique epithelial differentiation of meningothelial cells resulting in the production of hyaline inclusions. Although the increased preoperative serum CEA level is not a confirmative tool for secretory meningioma, it appears to be a useful marker for post-treatment follow-up or for detecting a tumor recurrence.