Fact-sheet: Meningioma of spine
Updated on 09/17/2021 at 12:16 PM
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Definition
Most common extra-axial tumor, arising from arachnoid meningeal cells invading the dura mater;
12% of meningiomas are spinal
Radiography
Hyperostosis overlying the tumor site, not necessarily indicating bone invasion.
Possible calcification (psammoma body)
CT
Well-circumscribed extra-axial mass syndrome with a broad dural attachment.
Mass effect on the spinal cord.
Spontaneously isodense, may be hyperdense (calcification).
Possible intraosseous invasion.
Hyperostosis of the adjacent bone.
Intense enhancement after contrast injection.
Possible cystic component
MRI
Reference examination:
hypo- to isointense on T1,
iso- to hyperintense on T2.
Homogeneous.
May be heterogeneous (calcifications, cystic component, vascularity).
Mass effect on the spinal cord.
Dural tail sign.
Intense enhancement after gadolinium injection
Differential diagnosis
Schwannoma.
Osteoma: differential diagnosis of a psammoma body.
Fibrous dysplasia: differential diagnosis of an intraosseous meningioma
