Background: The authors present the only known case of a World Health Organization grade II ectopic meningioma occurring in the infraclavicular brachial plexus, causing pain within the axilla not associated with a primary malignant meningioma of the central nervous system. Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are rare entities, the majority of which are schwannomas or neurofibromas. Ectopic meningiomas only represent 1%-2% of all meningiomas. To date, there is one other published case specifically of a primary ectopic meningioma located in the brachial plexus.
Observations: Following the dissection of the left axilla, a dominant rubbery tumor involving the median nerve was encountered. The tumor capsule contained areas of hemorrhage and a soft core with nerve fascicles coursing through, which were not compromised during internal tumor debulking. The tumor lacked a clear pseudocapsule that is characteristically seen in schwannomas. Histopathological studies confirmed an atypical epithelioid neoplasm with elevated numbers of mitotic figures and BAP1 gene deletion.
Lessons: Primary meningiomas arising outside the central nervous system are exceedingly rare. For this unusual higher-grade primary ectopic meningioma located in the distal brachial plexus, surgery with the goal of gross-total resection, adjuvant radiation, additional imaging, and genetics screening were recommended. Close follow-up is warranted. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24226.
Keywords: brachial plexus; case report; meningioma; peripheral nerve sheath tumor.