Prediction of meningioma consistency using fractional anisotropy value measured by magnetic resonance imaging

Object. Preoperative planning for meningiomas requires information about tumor consistency as well as location and size. In the present study the authors aimed to determine whether the fractional anisotropy (FA) value calculated on the basis of preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor (DT) imaging could predict meningioma consistency. Methods. In 29 patients with intracranial meningiomas, MR DT imaging was performed preoperatively, and the FA values of the tumors were calculated. Tumor consistency was intraoperatively determined as hard or soft, and the histological diagnosis of the tumor was established. Results. Of the 29 tumors, 11 were classified as hard and 18 as soft. The FA values of fibroblastic meningiomas were significantly higher than those of meningothelial meningiomas (p = 0.002). The FA values of hard tumors were significantly higher than those of soft tumors (p = 0.0003). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the FA value was a significant independent predictor of tumor consistency (p = 0.007). Conclusions. The FA value calculated from preoperative MR DT imaging predicts meningioma consistency.