The diagnostic value of diffusion weighted imaging in patients with meningioma

Purpose: This study aims to determine the use of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating typical and atypical meningiomas. Patients and methods: In total, 31 patients aged 37-77 years with meningiomas were included in this study. Using routine MRI sequences, the meningiomas were diagnosed and DW images were performed using factor of b-0 and b-1000. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in the lesion, in the normal area of brain parenchyma. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Showed that the mean ADC of atypical/malignant meningiomas (0.42-0.69 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; P < .0001) was significantly lower compared with benign meningiomas (0.72-1.5 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s). Mean NADC ratio in the atypical/malignant group (0.61) was also significantly lower than the benign group (1.21; P < .0001), without overlap between groups. The difference between the ADC values of the subtypes of typical meningiomas was insignificant. In conclusion: Typical meningiomas have higher ADC values than atypical cases. DW MRI may be of help in differentiating typical and atypical meningiomas. (C) 2012 Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.