Edema peritumoral em meningiomas

Objective: Approximately 60% of meningiomas are associated with peritumoral edema. Unlike intraxial tumors whose edema is credited to a blood brain barrier breakage, meningiomas’ peritumoral edema pathogenesis still remains unknown. The article reviews the edema´s formation theories and differentedema characteristics. Methods: The authors discuss the association of peritumoral brain edema with clinical, radiological, histopathological andsurgical aspects, and recurrence in meningiomas. Results: Different theories have being proposed to explain their formation. Mechanical factors such as tumoral compression of the adjacent parenchyma causing cerebral ischemiaor the compression of large veins or sinus are considered to cause edema. The production of edemagenic substances, the breakage of the blood brain barrier, edema related to the tumor drainage veins hypoplasia as well as pial blood supply are studied hypothesis. Conclusion: Peritumoral brain edema pathogenesis is probably related to several factors and may be associated to meningioma’s greater invading potentiality. As a consequence, it’s reasonable to consider edema’s presence as an additional factor to be taken into account when arranging layout of strategies for meningiomas treatment