Correlating Imaging Features of Intracranial Meningioma with Intraoperative Findings

Abstract

Introduction: Intracranial meningiomas are the most common extra-axial brain neoplasm with surgical resection the treatment of choice in most cases. Preoperative Imaging of these tumors can help in prediction of intraoperative features such as consistency and parenchymal adhesion and aid in preoperative planning. Materials & Methods: Our study included 27 patients with preoperative diagnosis of meningioma who prospectively underwent surgery in Dr. Firoozgar hospital. MRI features were evaluated by radiology resident and intraoperative findings were recorded by attending neurosurgeon. The findings were then compared to find significant correlation. Results: Meningiomas arising from anterior clinoid process and sphenoid wing and tumors with less than 50% visible rim in FLAIR sequence were more likely to have moderate or severe adhesion to surrounding parenchyma (p<0.05). Tumors with T2 signal to cortex ratio of less than 1.05 were more likely to have hard or very hard consistency (p<0.05). This cut-off had 100% specificity and 36% sensitivity. Conclusion: Our study shows that preoperative imaging features of meningiomas are correlated with intraoperative consistency and adhesion of tumors which can aid in preoperative planning.