The role of advanced MRI techniques in differentiating typical,from atypical and malignant meningiomas

Background

Meningiomas are the commonest primary, non-glial intracranial tumors. The diagnosis is often correctly predicted from characteristic imaging appearances. Some meningiomas have atypical imaging appearance that may cause diagnostic confusion.

Aim

Is to evaluate the role of advanced MR imaging techniques in differentiating typical from atypical and malignant meningiomas before surgery.

Patient

Thirty patients were retrospectively included in this study. They were referred from Neurosurgery Department and all of them suspected to have intracranial meningioma according to the contrast enhanced CT.

Methods

All patients were subjected to conventional magnetic resonance imaging followed by advanced magnetic resonance imaging in the form of diffusion weighted imaging, perfusion weighted imaging and MR spectroscopy by single-voxel techniques.

Results

The overall results based on differentiation of typical from atypical and malignant meningiomas by advanced MRI techniques. Twenty four patients had typical meningioma and 6 patients had atypical and malignant Meningiomas by advanced MRI techniques.

Conclusion

Appearance of meningiomas on DWIs and the calculation of ADC values could be correlated with their histopathological grading. On MRS, alanine was not found to be increased in all meningiomas, so MRS cannot reliably differentiate typical intracranial meningomas from atypical meningiomas.     

Single voxel proton MR spectroscopy findings of typical and atypical intracranial meningiomas

PURPOSE: To prospectively define proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings of meningiomas, and describe the ability or inability of short- and long-echo MRS to differentiate typical and atypical meningiomas in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with pathologically confirmed typical meningiomas and six with atypical meningiomas were evaluated with conventional MR imaging and MRS before resection. MRS studies using point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localisation, at short- and long-echo time (TR 2000 ms, TE: 30 and 144 ms, 64-96 acquisition) were acquired on a 1.5 T scanner. MRS data obtained from these patients were compared with histopathological findings. Mean cellular proliferation (MIB-1) antibody staining against the Ki-67 antigen was also determined in all meningiomas. RESULTS: Prominent choline (Cho) was present in all meningiomas. Alanine (Ala) was observed in 21 cases of the 23 meningiomas. Acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) were either not observed or detected in minimal amounts in at all both groups of meningiomas on long TE (144 ms) spectra. The mean Cho/Cr values in the four atypical meningiomas were 4.44+/-0.30 (mean+/-standard deviation) and 3.39+/-0.52 in the 12 typical meningiomas on short TE spectra. Cho/Cr ratio could not be determined in the other seven cases because of a lack of creatine peak. Of the five meningiomas in which a lactate peak was detected, four were in typical cases and only one was in atypical meningioma. Mean MIB-1 proliferation index was 3.7% in typical meningiomas and 10% in atypical meningiomas. CONCLUSION: Prominent Cho, absence or low amount of NAA and Cr, and presence of Ala were common characteristics of spectral pattern of both atypical and typical meningiomas on MRS. MRS cannot reliably differentiate typical intracranial meningiomas from atypical meningiomas preoperatively. Mean MIB-1 proliferation index was well correlated with histopathology findings.     

囊性脑膜瘤的MRI表现(附37例报告)

目的探讨囊性脑膜瘤的MR I表现,以提高诊断准确率。方法囊性脑膜瘤患者37例,采用1.5T磁共振扫描仪分别行轴位、矢状位和冠状位颅脑扫描,其中20例行Gd-DTPA增强扫描。观察囊性脑膜瘤的MR I表现,并分析不同类型囊性脑膜瘤的特点。结果囊性脑膜瘤除具有脑膜瘤常见的MR I表现外,由于囊腔的存在,囊性脑膜瘤的信号不均匀,周围常有明显脑水肿,肿瘤边缘模糊不清较脑膜瘤多见。3例Nauta 1型囊性脑膜瘤中,囊变、坏死位于肿瘤中央,16例Nauta 2型囊性脑膜瘤中,囊变、坏死位于肿瘤周边,Nauta 1型和Nauta 2型囊性脑膜瘤的囊腔四周均有肿瘤组织。3例Nauta 3型和5例Nauta 4型囊性脑膜瘤中,坏死、囊变区位于肿瘤实质部分的周边,Nauta 3型者肿瘤和囊腔之间有脑组织相隔,而Nauta 4型中肿瘤则与囊腔直接相邻。10例为上述4型中某2种或2种以上的混合型。结论MR I对囊性脑膜瘤的诊断和分型有较大价值。     

Utilization of glutamate/creatine ratios for proton spectroscopic diagnosis of meningiomas

Introduction Our purpose was to determine the potential of metabolites other than alanine to diagnose intracranial meningiomas on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Methods Using a 1.5-T MR system the lesions were initially identified on FLAIR, and T1- and T2-weighted images. Employing standard point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) for single voxel proton MRS (TR 1500 ms, TE 30 ms, 128 acquisitions, voxel size 2 × 2 × 2 cm, acquisition time 3.12 min), MR spectra were obtained from 5 patients with meningiomas, from 20 with other intracranial lesions, and from 4 normal controls. Peak heights of nine resonances, including lipid, lactate, alanine, NAA (N-acetylaspartate), β/γ-Glx (glutamate + glutamine), creatine, choline, myo-inositol, and α-Glx/glutathione, were measured in all spectra. The relative quantity of each metabolite was measured as the ratio of its peak height to the peak height of creatine. Results Relative quantities of α-Glx/glutathione, β/γ-Glx, and total Glx/glutathione were significantly elevated in meningiomas compared to the 20 other intracranial lesions and the normal control brains. Alanine was found in four of five meningiomas, but lactate partially masked the alanine in three meningiomas. None of the other lesions or control brains showed an alanine peak. The one meningioma with no alanine and the three others with lactate had elevated Glx. Conclusion While alanine is a relatively unique marker for meningioma, our results support the hypothesis that the combination of glutamate/creatine ratios and alanine on proton MRS is more specific and reliable for the diagnosis of meningiomas than alanine alone.     

Can unenhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging be used in routine follow up of meningiomas to avoid gadolinium deposition in brain?

PurposeWe hypothesized that unenhanced brain MRI can be used in follow up of patients with intracranial meningioma to avoid gadolinium deposition in the brain and allow measurement of meningioma dimensions from pre-contrast T2-weighted images.MethodsDimensions of meningiomas were measured on pre-contrast T2, post-contrast T1 weighted images.ResultsThe sizes of meningiomas in post-contrast axial T1-weighted images were similar with that in pre-contrast axial T2-weighted images. Signal intensity increase was detected in dentate nucleus and globus pallidus (P < 0.05).ConclusionGadolinium deposition could be avoided in patients with meningioma by using unenhanced brain MRI for follow up scans.     

富于淋巴浆细胞型脑膜瘤的MRI与病理分析

目的 探讨脑膜瘤亚型富于淋巴浆细胞型的MRI表现特征.方法 回顾性分析7例经手术病理证实的富于淋巴浆细胞型脑膜瘤的影像资料及病理资料,结合相关文献进行对比分析.结果 7例富于淋巴浆细胞型脑膜瘤均为单发病灶,6例病灶沿脑膜匍匐性生长,5例未形成具体瘤结节,2例为不规则分叶状;7例病灶均界限不清,瘤周水肿明显,邻近脑组织不同程度受累.MR平扫T1WI 7例均呈等、略低信号,T2WI 5例呈等、略高信号,2例呈等、略低信号;增强扫描见7例病灶均有显著强化效应,6例脑膜广泛不均匀增厚.病理示细胞丰富,成分多样,见大量淋巴细胞、浆细胞浸润,可见多少不等的梭形瘤细胞及典型脑膜上皮细胞区域.结论 富于淋巴浆细胞型脑膜瘤影像表现不同于常见脑膜瘤,具有一定的影像表现特征,有助于该肿瘤的诊断和鉴别.     

MRI 在脊索样脑膜瘤诊断及与其他脑膜瘤鉴别诊断中的价值

目的：探讨脊索样脑膜瘤(CM)的 MRI 特征性表现,并与其他脑膜瘤相鉴别。方法回顾性分析经手术病理确诊的7例 CM 患者的临床及 MRI 资料,定性分析其 MRI 各序列的信号特征,并进一步定量分析肿瘤各序列的标准化信号强度比,包括标准化 T1 WI 信号强度比(NT1)、标准化 T2 WI 信号强度比(NT2),标准化表观扩散系数比(NADC)、标准化 T1增强信号强度比(NCE)。采用 Fisher 精确检验和 Dunnett T 3检验法与经病理证实的非脊索样脑膜瘤(34例Ⅰ级脑膜瘤、16例非脊索样Ⅱ级脑膜瘤、5例Ⅲ级脑膜瘤)进行比较。结果CM 在 T2 WI 序列上均表现为高信号,非脊索样脑膜瘤则表现为等、低或稍高信号;CM 在扩散加权成像(DWI)上信号多变,但均无明显扩散受限,表观扩散系数(ADC)图上表现为高信号,增强扫描后实性部分明显强化。CM 的定量指标 NT2、NADC 及 NCE 均高于其他脑膜瘤(P 均<0.01),而 NT1无明显统计学差异(P =0.889)。病灶内有无囊变坏死、T2 WI 是否可见“流空效应”、瘤周水肿程度、是否出现脑膜尾征及宽基底对鉴别 CM 和其他脑膜瘤意义不大。结论CM 的MRI 表现有一定特征性,T2 WI 多表现为高信号,扩散不受限,强化程度更明显,NT2、NADC 及 NCE 的测定有助于提高其术前诊断的准确性。     

Sequential MRI and MR spectroscopy in embolized meningiomas: correlation with surgical and histopathological findings

The preoperative embolization of meningiomas is commonly used to facilitate surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological and metabolic changes in embolized meningiomas and to correlate the results with surgical and histopathological findings. In a prospective study, 36 patients with intracranial meningiomas were included. The extent of devascularization was assessed by angiography and MR volumetry. MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS) were performed before and sequentially after embolization. At surgery, blood loss was measured and intraoperative duplex-mode ultrasound was applied to identify avascular tumor portions. Histopathological specimens were evaluated for the histological subtype, localization and extent of necrotic tumor portions. Postembolization MRI revealed a variable pattern of secondary revascularization and devascularization with an early onset following embolization. In all patients, peripheral secondary enhancement was present which histopathologically represented a thin layer of vital tumor tissue. MRS revealed lactate in devascularized areas immediately after embolization. Lipids were not observed before the 3rd day after embolization and were always associated with avascular and soft tissue at the time of surgery. Embolized meningiomas feature a variable dynamic with the potential for revascularization and secondary devascularization. Lipid signals indicate avascular and soft tissue at surgery. In case of delayed surgery, MRI and MRS should be performed in order to exclude revascularization and to establish the fatty degeneration of the meningioma.     

Haemangiopericytoma diagnosed from a metastasis 11years after surgery for "atypical meningioma"

Meningeal haemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare tumour often mistakenly reported as "vascular meningioma". Unlike meningiomas, HPC has a high rate of local recurrence and distant metastases, which may occur several years after initial treatment. We report a patient in whom a HPC was misdiagnosed as benign vascular meningioma and the patient discharged from follow-up. HPC was diagnosed 11 years later from biopsy of a skeletal metastasis. Histological review of the meningeal tumour confirmed the diagnosis of meningeal HPC. Meningeal HPCs resemble meningiomas clinically, radiologically and even light microscopically. As a result, they can be reported as atypical meningioma, as in this case. HPC's are more aggressive than typical meningiomas, with a high rate of recurrence and distant metastasis, often late in the course of the disease. Management of meningeal HPC differs from that of typical meningioma, with a need for post-operative radiotherapy and long-term follow-up.     

联合MRI和CT诊断微小脑膜瘤

目的 探讨微小脑膜瘤CT和MRI早期敏感征象,提高其检出率.方法 回顾性分析41例经临床随访及病理确诊为微小脑膜瘤的临床及影像学资料,观察并记录微小脑膜瘤发生部位、CT密度、MRI信号特点,对结果进行统计学分析.结果 21例患者行CT平扫检查,其中5例呈钙化密度,12例呈高/稍高密度,4例呈等密度.41例患者均行MRI检查,T1 WI:37例呈等信号,4例呈低信号;T2 WI:33例呈等信号,4例呈高信号,4例呈低信号;FLAIR:14例呈略高信号,27例呈等信号.13例患者行扩散加权成像(DWI)检查,其中5例呈高/稍高信号.MR增强扫描病变均呈明显强化.结论 MR多序列(FLAIR、DWI)、多方位(矢状面)结合增强扫描、薄层扫描并联合CT平扫可极大地减少微小脑膜瘤的漏诊率.     

Glucose utilization by intracranial meningiomas as an index of tumor aggressivity and probability of recurrence: a PET study

Seventeen patients with intracranial meningiomas were studied with positron emission tomography and fluorine-18-2-fluorodeoxyglucose (PET-FDG) to assess the glucose utilization of these tumors. Four meningiomas followed for 3-5 years after PET-FDG and surgery showed no evidence of recurrence. These tumors had significantly lower glucose utilization rates (1.9 mg/dl/min +/- 1.0) than 11 recurrent or regrowing meningiomas (4.5 mg/dl/min +/- 1.96) (P less than .01). The glucose metabolic rates of meningiomas correlated with tumor growth, as estimated from changes in tumor size on repeated computed tomographic scans. Histopathologically, a syncytial (atypical) meningioma had the highest glucose utilization rate, followed by a papillary meningioma and an angioblastic meningioma. Individual transitional and syncytial (typical) meningiomas showed marked differences in glucose metabolism despite similar microscopic appearance. Glucose utilization rate appears to be at least as reliable as histologic classification and other proposed criteria for predicting the behavior and recurrence of intracranial meningiomas.     

Clinical value of 24-hour delayed imaging in somatostatin receptor scintigraphy for meningioma.

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using 111In-octreotide has proven useful in patients suspected of having meningiomas. Delayed imaging is regularly performed up to 24 h postinjection. However, this procedure is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, we investigated whether 24-h imaging may be omitted in these patients. METHODS: After clinical examination and standard MRI, 71 patients were suspected of having 92 meningioma lesions. Before surgery, all patients underwent SRS after intravenous injection of 200 MBq (5.4 mCi) 111In-octreotide. Planar whole-body images were obtained at 10 min and 1, 4 and 24 h, and SPECT was performed at 4 and 24 h. Results of SRS in all lesions were evaluated with respect to histology and time of image acquisition. RESULTS: SRS yielded 58 true-positive, 20 true-negative and 14 false-negative results, with the false-negatives all less than 5 mL (2.3+/-2.1 mL) in volume. In 52 of 58 true-positive lesions (89.7%), diagnosis could be established by 4-h imaging without further information by 24-h imaging. In 10 of the 52 lesions, SPECT was necessary to confirm planar findings. Imaging at 24 h was necessary in only 6 of 58 true-positive lesions (10.3%): 3 patients who had intracranial relapse of meningioma (volume < 5 mL) and 3 who had spinal meningioma. Thus, a diagnosis of intracranial meningioma could be established in 52 of 55 lesions (95%) using a 4-h imaging protocol. CONCLUSION: With a 4-h acquisition protocol that includes SPECT imaging, SRS yields sufficient information in patients suspected of having intracranial meningiomas. Delayed imaging at 24 h is recommended only for patients who have small meningiomas (volume < 5 mL), spinal localizations or negative SRS at 4 h.     

囊性脑膜瘤的影像学与病理学诊断（附21例分析）

目的：探讨囊性脑膜瘤的临床表现、影像学和病理学特点。方法：回顾性分析21例临床上少见的囊性脑膜瘤的影像学和病理学表现。结果：21例患者肿瘤全切除14例,次全切除7例。结论：CT、MRI对诊断囊性脑膜瘤很有价值,依据囊性脑膜瘤的病理特征,将其分为真性囊性脑膜瘤和假囊性脑膜瘤。肿瘤因囊肿形成,病情发展迅速,常引起严重的临床症状,极易误诊为其他性质的病变。本文对其临床病理诊治经验进行了探讨。     

The value of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intracranial meningiomas

Thirty-two patients suspected by Computed Tomography (CT) of having a meningioma were additionally imaged by Magnetic Resonance. Of these, seven patients had an eventual diagnosis other than meningioma. This represents a positive value of 76% for the diagnosis of meningioma by CT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improved positive predictive value to 86%. A diagnosis other than meningioma was made by MRI with greatest confidence when tumour signal intensity was either much greater or much less than that of grey matter. Comparison of Inversion Recovery (IR) and spin echo (SE) sequences showed IR to be superior for demonstration of supratentorial meningiomas. SE images were superior to IR in demonstrating calcification. MRI was of value in showing anatomical relationships, due to its multiplanar capacity and in demonstrating vessel patency. CT was generally superior in defining meningiomas and in demonstrating calcification.     

MRI of primary meningeal tumours in children

Childhood meningeal tumours are uncommon and mostly meningiomas. We reviewed the histological and radiological findings in meningeal tumours in six children aged 12 years or less (four benign meningiomas, one malignant meningioma and one haemangiopericytoma). Compared to the adult counterpart, childhood meningiomas showed atypical features: cysts, haemorrhage, aggressiveness and unusual location. MRI features varied according to the site of the tumour, histology, haemorrhage, and presence of intra- or peritumoral cysts. Diagnosis of the extra-axial tumour was relatively easy in two patients with meningiomas, one malignant meningioma and one haemangiopericytoma. MRI findings strongly suggested an intra-axial tumour in two patients with benign meningiomas, because of severe adjacent edema. Awareness of the variable findings of childhood meningiomas and similar tumours may help in differentiation from brain tumours. Received: 22 September 1998 Accepted: 18 November 1998     

氢质子磁共振波谱在小儿颞叶癫痫研究中的应用

目的 结合MRI和脑电图（EEG）所见，评价氢质子磁共振波谱（^1H MRS)在小儿颞叶癫痫诊断中的价值。方法 对10例颞叶癫痫患儿和8例健康自愿儿用2．0T场强MR扫描系统进行MRI及^1H MRS采集。测定N－乙酰天门冬氨酸（NAA）、胆碱（Cho)、肌酸（Cr)、乳酸（Lac)、肌醇（MI）、谷氨酸及谷氨酰胺（Glu/Gln)等代谢产物。结果 以NAA／（Cr Cho)值为标准，海马硬化侧组及脑电图异常侧组与对照组间比较，差异有显著性意义（平均差异分别为0．7663、0．6190，P＜0．05）。结论 ^1H MRS在小儿颞叶癫痫灶诊断的敏感性高于MRI，且有助于脑电图定位诊断。     

颅内脑膜瘤的MRI诊断(附63例分析)

目的　探讨脑膜瘤MRI的特征及其与病理分型之间的关系。方法　回顾性分析 63例经手术和病理证实的脑膜瘤的MRI表现。结果　 63例中 ,62例为单发 ,1例为多发。位于额、顶、枕区脑凸面 3 0例 ,鞍区 10例 ,蝶骨嵴 8例 ,嗅沟 5例 ,其他部位 10例。T1 加权像上脑膜瘤信号主要为等信号和略低信号 ,占 87.2 7%。T2 加权像脑膜瘤信号主要为等和略高信号 ,占 69.84% ,明显高信号占 19.0 5 % ,混杂信号占 7.94% ,略低信号占 3 .17%。病理分型 :上皮型 2 9例 ,纤维母细胞型 11例 ,沙粒体型 8例 ,血管母细胞型 5例 ,血管型 10例。MRI诊断 63例均与手术相符。结论　MRI对脑膜瘤的定性、定位诊断有很大的价值 ,血管型脑膜瘤在MRI中具有较强的流空效应。     

脑(脊)膜瘤MRI表现与病理分型的相关性研究

目的 探讨脑（脊）膜瘤MRI表现与病理分型的关系。资料与方法 搜集有病理分型的脑（脊）膜瘤37例。纤维型10例，上皮型13例，血管瘤型3例，血管外皮型3例，非典型2例，砂粒型2例，过渡型2例，血管母细胞型1例，间变型1例。回顾性分析其MRI特点。结果 纤维型：T2研肿瘤中央明显极低信号，周边为等信号，增强扫描周边明显强化，病灶内T2研极低信号区轻度强化；上皮型：肿瘤与皮质等信号，信号欠均匀，增强扫描明显强化；颅内血管瘤型、血管母细胞型及血管外皮型呈长TI长T2信号，血管母细胞型及血管外皮型可出现周围大范围水肿，增强后非常明显强化。过渡型表现可类似其某单一类型。非典型及间变型可信号不均匀、囊变、出血，间变型周围明显水肿。结论 不同类型脑（脊）膜瘤有一定的特征性MRI表现，特别是纤维型、血管外皮型、血管母细胞型脑膜瘤具有明显MRI特征。     

Diagnosing dural metastases: the value of 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of MRI, MR spectroscopy (MRS) and intra-arterial angiography in the preoperative diagnosis of extra-axial dural-based masses. We prospectively studied 54 patients who underwent preoperative MRI, MRS and angiography. Histologically there were 50 meningiomas and four dural metastases. MRI and angiography did not allow reliable differentiation between meningiomas and metastases. MRS showed elevated choline/creatine ratios in both meningiomas and metastases, but there were prominent lipid signals in all metastases and a lactate peak in two. This spectroscopic pattern was not found in meningiomas. However, following embolisation, they showed similar spectra, due to ischaemia and necrosis. We therefore believe MRS to be valuable in differential diagnosis of dural metastases and meningiomas prior to embolisation. Received: 4 April 2000 Accepted: 6 October 2000