PURPOSE

With intracranial tumors a flat, contrast-enhancing, probably dural structure adjacent to the tumor can occasionally be observed on gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MR images. Thers we have attempted to evaluate a tumor infiltration of these enhancement on MRI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included 50 patients, 19 patients had a dural thickening at the tumor base (13 meningiomas and 6 metastases), while 31 patient did not (12 meningiomas and 19 metastases). Studies included plane T2-weighted spin echo (SE) images as well as T1-weighted axial, coronal, or sagittal plains with and without contrast agent. Histopathological examinations, were done on the tumor base adjacent to the dura mater.

RESULTS

7 of 12 meningiomas showed a meningeal thickening on MRI with histopathologically proven tumor infiltration as did also 5 of 6 metastases. But 3 of 12 meningiomas and 15 of 19 metastases without dural thickening at the tumor base also showed tumor invasion into the dura mater.

CONCLUSION

MR imaging is still not able to determine whether or not there is a dural infiltration of the tumors base because there was no correlation between MR images and histopathologic results. In conclusion, metastases adjacent to the dura infiltrate the dura mater in a higher percentage than meningiomas.