Meningioma CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ifeoma Odukwe, M.D. [2] Haytham Allaham, M.D. [3]

Head CT scan may be diagnostic of meningioma. Some of the findings on CT scan suggestive of meningioma include edema, CSF attenuation cleft, round/elongated extraaxial mass, and hyperostosis of the adjacent skull. Although MRI is the diagnostic study of choice, CT is easier to use and may be used in cases where there is a contraindication to the use of an MRI.

Head CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of meningioma. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of meningioma include:^[1][2]

• Round or elongated extraaxial mass
• Mass with broad attachment to the dura
• Isodense mass. Can often be hyperdense or slightly hypodense compared to the cerebrum
• CSF attenuation cleft
• Tumor intense enhancement
• Homogeneous mass that can show heterogeneity depending on the presence of fat, calcium, or tumor necrosis
• Hyperostosis of adjacent skull in benign meningiomas
• Edema
• Mixed solid and cystic mass in clear cell meningiomas

Despite MRI being the imaging study of choice, CT is more widely available, better in urgent settings, and used when patients have a contraindication to MRI usage such as pacemakers.

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