Comparison of consistency of meningiomas and CT appearances

Computed tomograms of meningiomas in which the consistency of the tumour had been specifically noted at surgery were reviewed. Those showing diffuse calcification or evidence of marked cystic or necrotic changes were excluded, leaving 77 tumours of which 46 were hard and 31 soft. Ninety per cent of the hard tumours were of increased attenuation; the other 10% were isodense with brain. Forty-nine per cent of the soft meningiomas were of high attenuation, but 35% were isodense and 16% were of lower than brain attenuation. There was a greater incidence of marked intracerebral oedema around the hard tumours. All hypodense tumours enhanced to greater than brain attenuation; mean enhancement was relatively less in the tumours of high plain scan attenuation regardless of consistency and there was no relationship between degree of enhancement and either the consistency or with the amount of vascularity as estimated by the surgeon or histologist.