Diagnóstico e acompanhamento evolutivo dos meningiomas através da ressonância magnética

Abstract

Meningiomas are benign, slowly evolving intracranial tumors that originate in the meninges. As they are asymptomatic, most of these tumors are generally difficult to identify. However, if not diagnosed, these tumors can compress brain blood vessels leading to death. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a vital imaging method for the diagnosis and characterization of these tumors, which is particularly important for establishing a cancer treatment plan. Objective: This study constitutes a narrative bibliographic review that visualizes the importance of MRI in the diagnosis and evolutionary monitoring of meningiomas and tissue characterization, correlating imaging findings with histological analysis of the tumor. Results: Meningiomas are generally isointense in T1 and T2, with variations linked to the more or less compact or hydrated texture of the tissue, associated with the presence of cysts, calcifications or adipose metaplasia. They can cause hyperostosis, leading to thickening of the affected bone. In post-contrast T1-weighted images, meningiomas usually appear with homogeneous hypersignal. Conclusion: MRI promises a promising way for the detection and characterization of meningiomas, providing prognostic data for their treatment. An accurate diagnosis helps in the evolutionary and post-surgical follow-up. In a 24-hour post-surgical period, MRI is able to identify tumor residues and late recurrences, common between 10 to 20 years after total tumor resection.