Prediction of hard meningiomas: quantitative evaluation based on the magnetic resonance signal intensity.

BackgroundFrom a surgical perspective, presurgical prediction of meningioma consistency is beneficial.PurposeTo quantitatively analyze the correlation between the magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensity (SI) or apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and meningioma consistency and to determine which MR sequence could help predicting hard meningiomas.Material and MethodsThis study included 43 patients with meningiomas who underwent preoperative MR imaging (MRI), including T1-weighted (T1W) imaging, T2-weighted (T2W) imaging, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), contrast-enhanced (CE)-T1W imaging, and CE-fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA). A neurosurgeon evaluated the tumor consistency using a visual analog scale (VAS) with the anchors “soft” (score = 0) and “hard” (score = 10). The SI ratio (tumor to cerebral cortex SI) and ADC value were compared with the tumor consistency. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for predicting hard meningio...