[Cystic meningiomas: unusual forms of intracranial neoplasms]. / Meningiomas quísticos: formas inusuales de neoplasias intracraneales.

OBJECTIVE: We report eight patients with cystic intracranial meningiomas to outline the neuroimaging spectrum of this unusual form of intracranial tumors. METHODS: Both CT and MRI were equally effective for the detection of peritumoral or intratumoral cystic lesions. However, neuroimaging findings were nonspecific and did not allow a correct preoperative diagnosis in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: Only a high index of suspicion permits the neurosurgeon a proper recognition of cystic meningiomas and its differentiation from the more common and malignant gliomas.