Malignant meningioma with lung metastases in a Boxer

The rare case of a meningioma with pulmonary metastases in a dog is described. Clinically, the ten-year-old boxer bitch showed generalized seizures, strabismus and deficient proprioception. The post-mortem examination revealed a basically localized meningeal tumor, having the light- and electron-microscopic appearance of a malignant meningotheliomatous meningioma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells did not show any positive reaction with antibodies to GFAP, S-100 protein, NSE, vimentin, cytokeratin, desmin, and von Willebrand factor (factor VIII related antigen). Immunohistochemical examination of seven other canine meningiomas showed an identical pattern. The results and the relevant literature are discussed.