A review on dural tail sign.

Area of Science:

• Neuroradiology
• Neuro-oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• The dural tail sign (DTS) is a contrast-enhancing dural thickening adjacent to intracranial pathologies on T1-weighted MRI.
• Initially considered pathognomonic for meningioma, its presence is now documented with diverse intra- and extra-cranial lesions, including spinal pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical context of the dural tail sign.
• To delineate the spectrum of pathologies associated with DTS.
• To discuss the pathophysiology, diagnostic differentiation, and surgical management of DTS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies reporting the dural tail sign.
• Analysis of accompanying pathologies and their characteristics.
• Discussion of diagnostic criteria and surgical considerations.

Main Results:

• The dural tail sign is not specific to meningioma and can be associated with various neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions.
• Understanding the differential diagnosis is crucial for accurate interpretation.
• Predicting tumoral involvement and determining the necessity of dural tail resection require careful evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The dural tail sign is a valuable imaging finding but requires careful interpretation in the context of the overall clinical and radiological presentation.
• Further research may clarify predictive factors for tumoral involvement and guide surgical decision-making regarding dural tail resection.