Meningocele, glioma and optic nerve meningioma: differential diagnosis and treatment

Purpose: After studying 3 clinical cases, we have reviewed the clinical and radiological characteristics of meningocele, meningioma and optic nerve glioma. The differential diagnosis and therapeutic management are also discussed. Methods: Review of three clinical reports of three patients seen in our unit and a bibliographic search concerning the diagnosis and therapeutic management of these three entities at the present time. Results: Differential diagnosis has to be based on a wide range of parameters: epidemiologic (age, race, sex, prevalence of the tumors), clinical (visual acuity, perimetry, Hertel exophthalmometry and funduscopy) and radiologic (computed tomography and magnetic resonance). Anatomopathologic study is required only rarely. The therapeutic options are: observation, surgery and radiotherapy. Conclusion: A correct differential diagnosis is mandatory to be able to individualize the treatment for each entity (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2009; 84: 563-568).