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Intracranial meningiomas: correlation between MR imaging and histology in fifty patients
P Demaerel1, G Wilms, M Lammens
1Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, K.U. Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
The magnetic resonance (MR) findings in 50 surgically verified intracranial meningiomas were reviewed. An attempt was made to correlate their signal intensity on spin echo (SE) T1-weighted, proton density [N(H)], and T2-weighted images with the different histologic subtypes. The T1-weighted images were nonspecific in differentiating the subtypes of meningiomas. On proton density and T2-weighted images, more information was available, but there remained large group (46%) of meningiomas that were not classifiable. The average signal intensity scores on T1-weighted, proton density, and T2-weighted images in the different histologic subtypes were correlated with each other using the Student t test. Only one significant correlation (psammomatous-anaplastic) and three almost significant correlations (syncytial-transitional or psammomatous and transitional-psammomatous) were found. Different histologic subtypes may have a different MR appearance, but this does not suffice to reach a histologic diagnosis by MR imaging.
Insights
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of intracranial meningiomas showed limited ability to differentiate histologic subtypes. While some signal intensity variations were observed, MR findings alone were insufficient for definitive histologic diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Intracranial meningiomas are common primary tumors of the central nervous system.
- Accurate histologic subtyping is crucial for prognosis and treatment planning.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a primary diagnostic tool for brain tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between MR imaging signal intensities and histologic subtypes of intracranial meningiomas.
- To determine if MR imaging can reliably differentiate between various meningioma subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of MR imaging findings in 50 surgically confirmed intracranial meningiomas.
- Analysis of signal intensities on T1-weighted, proton density, and T2-weighted images.
- Correlation of MR findings with histologic subtypes using statistical analysis (Student t test).
Main Results:
- T1-weighted MR images were nonspecific for differentiating meningioma subtypes.
- Proton density and T2-weighted images provided more information, but 46% remained unclassifiable.
- Limited significant correlations were found between MR signal intensities and specific histologic subtypes.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging characteristics, including signal intensity, show some variation across meningioma subtypes.
- However, current MR imaging techniques are insufficient to establish a definitive histologic diagnosis of intracranial meningiomas.