Meningiomas vary in their symptoms and appropriate treatment options depending on their location. (See related sections Symptoms and Diagnosis and Treatments) The tumor’s location is most often included in its description. Below is a listing of locations where meningiomas are found.
Falx and parasagittal – 25%
The falx is a groove that runs between the two sides (hemispheres) of the brain (front to back). Running along the top of this groove is a large blood vessel, known as the superior sagittal sinus. Falx tumors arise from the meninges folded down in the groove, whereas parasagittal tumors arise from the meninges that are near or close to the superior sagittal sinus at the top of the groove.
Convexity – 20%
These tumors grow on the surface of the brain not involving the falx or parasagittal region.
Sphenoid wing (also called sphenoid ridge) – 20%
Sphenoid wing meningiomas lie behind the eyes.
Olfactory groove – 10%
Olfactory groove meningiomas grow along the nerves that run between the brain and the nose.
Suprasellar – 10%
These meningiomas grow above a bony depression that houses the pituitary gland and are very close to where the optic nerve from each eye intersects with the other.
Posterior fossa – 10%
Posterior fossa tumors lie on the underside of the brain.
Intraventricular – 2%
Intraventricular meningiomas are associated with the connected chambers of fluid that circulate throughout the central nervous system. This fluid is known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Intraorbital – <2%
Intraorbital meningiomas grow around the eye sockets of your skull.
Spinal – <2%
Spinal meningiomas occur within the spinal cord predominantly in the region of the spine between the neck and abdomen (thoracic area).
