Update on meningioma: Clinical-radiological and radio-pathological correlation

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Central Nervous System (CNS) Neoplasms
• Pathology

Background:

• Meningiomas are the most common primary non-glial tumors of the central nervous system, originating from arachnoid villi.
• Clinical presentation is highly dependent on tumor location, with cerebral convexity meningiomas frequently causing headaches, motor deficits, seizures, and cognitive impairment.
• There are 15 recognized histologic subtypes and three World Health Organization (WHO) grades, with higher grades associated with poorer prognosis and increased recurrence rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of meningioma characteristics.
• To highlight the clinical significance of tumor location and histologic grade.
• To emphasize the necessity of histological and molecular confirmation for definitive diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on meningioma epidemiology, clinical presentation, and histopathology.
• Analysis of imaging features associated with different meningioma subtypes and grades.
• Discussion of diagnostic criteria and prognostic factors.

Main Results:

• Meningiomas exhibit diverse clinical manifestations influenced by anatomical location.
• Higher histologic grades (II and III) correlate with more aggressive radiological behavior, increased recurrence, and worse outcomes.
• While imaging can suggest subtypes, definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological and molecular analysis.

Conclusions:

• Understanding meningioma location and grade is crucial for predicting clinical course and prognosis.
• Accurate diagnosis and subtyping of meningiomas necessitate integrated histopathological and molecular evaluation.
• Further research into imaging biomarkers may aid in pre-operative differentiation of meningioma subtypes.