Computed tomography and magnetic resonance appearance of sporadic meningioangiomatosis correlated with pathological findings.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE: Meningioangiomatosis (MA) is a rare benign localized lesion of leptomeninges and underlying cerebral cortex. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult and challenging because of its diverse clinical, pathological, and imaging features. We retrospectively analyzed 7 cases of MA to explore their imaging features and correlate with pathological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively reviewed in 7 patients with surgically and pathologically verified intracranial MA (not associated with neurofibromatosis). Computed tomography studies were performed in axial plane without iodinated contrast-material administration; magnetic resonance studies consisted of axial T1-weighted, T2-weighted, Fluid attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR), and postcontrast T1-weighted sequences and coronal or sagittal precontrast and postcontrast T1-weighted sequences. RESULTS: Computed tomography showed focal extensively calcified lesions in 3 cases, lesions with patchy calcification in 2 cases, and no apparent calcification in 2 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated predominantly hypointensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. Six of 7 cases exhibited gyriform hyperintensity on FLAIR sequences, which correlated with proliferating microvessels with perivascular cuffs of spindle-cell proliferation within the cortex on histopathological analysis. After contrast-material administration, all but 1 showed heterogeneous enhancement. The nonenhancing lesion on MRI was completely calcified on CT. CONCLUSION: Gyriform hyperintensity on FLAIR sequence is the main MRI feature of MA, which correlates with proliferating microvessels with perivascular cuffs of spindle-cell proliferation within the cortex on pathological analysis. Plain CT scan is essential to demonstrate the extent of calcification of these lesions.

Author information

Author/s: Yao, Zhenwei (Z); Wang, Yin (Y); Zee, Chi (C); Feng, Xiaoyuan (X); Sun, Huaping (H);

Affiliation: Department of Radiology, USC University Hospital, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1500 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of computer assisted tomography (J Comput Assist Tomogr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Sep-Oct; vol 33 (issue 5) : pp 799-804

Dates: Created 2009/10/12; Completed 2009/11/02;

PMID: 19820515, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

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