Growth rate of incidental meningiomas.

A meningioma was incidentally identified with computerized tomography (CT) in 17 patients without relevant clinical signs. The tumor was not removed, but biopsy confirming a meningioma was obtained from one patient. Tumor growth rate was calculated from repeat CT scans or follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. The annual growth rate ranged from less than 1% to 21%. It is concluded that in nonsymptomatic meningiomas with a low growth rate a nonsurgical approach may be warranted.