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Rhabdoid meningioma: clinical features and MR imaging findings in 15 patients
1Department of Radiology and Centers for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background And Purpose:
Rhabdoid meningioma (RM) is a recently described variant of malignant meningioma, with radiologic features currently not well characterized in the medical literature. The purpose of this study was to describe and characterize clinical features and imaging findings associated with RM.
Materials And Methods:
CT (n = 8) and MR (n = 15) images of 15 patients (4 men and 11 women; mean age, 52 years; range, 22-75 years) with 16 pathologically proved RMs along with associated clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients underwent surgical resection and had additional radiation therapy except for 1 patient. After surgery, the patients had follow-up brain MR imaging to evaluate for tumor recurrence.
Results:
Nine lesions (56%) were located in the cerebral convexity, and 4 lesions (25%) were located in the parasagittal areas. The tumors were isointense (n = 15) to gray matter on T1-weighted images, whereas they were hyperintense (n = 14) on T2-weighted images. On gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images, homogeneous enhancement was seen in 10 lesions, and heterogeneous enhancement was seen in 6 lesions that had cysts. Cystic components were noted in 6 lesions (38%). Severe peritumoral edema was seen in 12 lesions (75%). Nine lesions (56%) had hyperostosis, and 5 of them also had bone destruction. Among the 8 cases with initial CT scans, only 1 had amorphous calcifications (13%). There was only 1 recurrence of RM found during the follow-up period after surgical resection.
Conclusion:
RMs tend to have prominent peritumoral edema, cystic components, and bone involvement.
Insights
Rhabdoid meningioma (RM) is a rare malignant tumor. This study details RM
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neuroradiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Rhabdoid meningioma (RM) is a rare, aggressive subtype of meningioma.
- Radiologic characteristics of RM are not well-defined in existing literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation and imaging findings of Rhabdoid Meningioma.
- To improve diagnostic accuracy and understanding of this rare tumor variant.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of CT and MR imaging (n=15 patients, 16 tumors).
- Analysis of clinical records, surgical, and radiation therapy data.
- Follow-up MR imaging for recurrence assessment.
Main Results:
- Tumor locations: cerebral convexity (56%) and parasagittal areas (25%).
- Imaging: isointense on T1, hyperintense on T2, with variable enhancement.
- Frequent findings: severe peritumoral edema (75%), cystic components (38%), bone involvement (hyperostosis/destruction).
Conclusions:
- Rhabdoid meningiomas often present with significant peritumoral edema.
- Cystic components and bone involvement are characteristic imaging features.
- Low recurrence rates observed after surgical resection and adjuvant therapy.
