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Dural tail sign in spinal meningiomas
1Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, College of Medicine and King Khalid Univerity Hospital, King Saud University, P.O. Box 9047, Riyadh 11413, Saudi Arabia. alorainy@ksu.edu.sa <alorainy@ksu.edu.sa>
Objective:
To study the association between the "dural tail sign" and spinal meningiomas on MR imaging.
Methods:
Retrospective review of MR examinations of all pathologically proven spinal meningiomas from 1998 to 2005 was performed. Lesions were evaluated for size, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and presence or absence of dural tail. The dural tail length and direction in reference to the meningioma were also evaluated.
Results:
Seven spinal meningiomas were identified in seven patients. One lesion was purely extradural, while the remaining were intradural extramedullary. Dural tail was present in four cases (57%) and its length ranged between 5 and 21 mm. The tail was seen cranial and caudal to the meningioma in three cases and only cranially in one. Coronal images were available in three cases and in two of these; the dural tail was clearly depicted.
Conclusions:
"Dural tail sign" is as common in spinal meningiomas as in cranial meningiomas.
Insights
The dural tail sign, a feature on MR imaging, is frequently observed in spinal meningiomas. This imaging finding is as common in spinal meningiomas as it is in cranial meningiomas.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Spinal meningiomas are tumors arising from the meninges of the spinal cord.
- The dural tail sign is a characteristic finding on contrast-enhanced MRI, often associated with meningiomas.
- Its prevalence and diagnostic utility in spinal meningiomas require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the "dural tail sign" and spinal meningiomas.
- To determine the frequency and characteristics of the dural tail sign in spinal meningiomas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of MRI examinations for pathologically confirmed spinal meningiomas (1998-2005).
- Evaluation of lesion characteristics including size, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and presence/absence of the dural tail sign.
- Assessment of dural tail length and orientation relative to the meningioma.
Main Results:
- Seven spinal meningiomas were identified in seven patients.
- The dural tail sign was present in 57% (4/7) of cases, with lengths ranging from 5 to 21 mm.
- Dural tails were observed cranially and caudally in three cases and only cranially in one; coronal imaging aided visualization.
Conclusions:
- The "dural tail sign" is a common finding in spinal meningiomas.
- The prevalence of the dural tail sign in spinal meningiomas is comparable to that observed in cranial meningiomas.
