Learning objectives
- To provide a comprehensive review of both primary and secondary neoplastic processes that involve the meninges.
- To illustrate a wide spectrum of neoplastic lesions and review the role of imaging in their diagnosis and management.
Background
- Meningeal lesions are commonly encountered in daily reporting,
with grade I
meningiomas,
the most common tumour of the meninges,
often discovered
incidentally.
- Yet the differentials for neoplastic tumours of the meninges are wide,
and
many are often overlooked.
- Imaging plays a pivotal role in identifying and characterising theselesions.
- Accurate imaging diagnosis has a significant impact on management,
as not alltumours require neurosurgical intervention.
Findings and procedure details
The key imaging features of malignant meningeal lesions are described,
across a wide selection of cases from a large tertiary referral centre.
MENINGIOMA
Background:
Most common tumour of the meninges- originating from the meningocytes or arachnoid cap cells of the meninges
WHO classification: Grade I- benign,
Grade II- atypical,
Grade III- anaplastic/malignant.
Treatment is surgical excision
Imaging:
Extra-axial tumours
Commonly parasagittal Fig. 1 ,
located at the sphenoid ridge Fig. 3 and cerebral convexity.
Characteristic appearances:
Well-circumscribed
Can either be uniformly calcified Fig. 1,
or...
Conclusion
Having an understanding of the characteristic imaging features of meningeal
tumours allows the radiologist to make an accurate diagnosis,
allowing promptfurther investigation and management.
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