Intracranial meningiomas: how frequent are indicative findings in CT and MRI?

Frequencies of CT and MRI findings characteristic of meningiomas were compared in 50 cases. Plain and contrast enhanced examinations with CT and MRI were evaluated retrospectively regarding 12 criteria known to be indicative of the diagnosis of meningiomas. CT proved to be superior in demonstrating calcifications and a typical tumor density. On the other hand. MRI was better suited for identifying the extraaxial location of tumors, the broad contact of tumors to the meninges, tumor capsules and meningeal contrast enhancement adjacent to the tumor. Both methods provided nearly equal results in demonstrating mass effects, hyperostoses, intensive and homogeneous contrast enhancement, and smooth tumor contours after contrast administration. On the whole, neither of the two methods demonstrated a universal superiority for the diagnosis of intracranial meningiomas. Rather, each method displayed distinct advantages.