[Prediction of the Natural Course of Meningioma Using CT and MR Images].

ABSTRACT

The frequency of identification of asymptomatic meningiomas is increasing owing to the advancement and widespread use of CT and MRI. The first choice for asymptomatic meningiomas is observation. Approximately 70% of asymptomatic meningiomas increase in volume on long term follow-up. More than half of them reportedly exhibit a self-limiting pattern, in which growth eventually stops. Imaging findings related to increased meningioma volume include no calcification, large tumor size, high signal intensity inside the tumor on T2-weighted images, high brightness within the tumor on diffusion-weighted images, and perifocal edema. We also highlighted the presence of hypo-intensity of the surface layer on T2-weighted imaging, indicating growth arrest in a self-limiting growth pattern of meningioma. In this article, literature reports on image prediction using CT and MRI regarding the growth of asymptomatic meningiomas were reviewed, along with our report.