Application of Т1, Т2‑mapping technique for evaluation of intracranial meningioma consistency

Background. Meningiomas are the most common extracerebral intracranial neoplasms. Radicality of meningioma resection largely depends on its consistency, size, and closeness to important anatomical structures. Preoperative prognosis of meningioma density plays an important role in selection of surgical access and operative inventory, general radicality of tumor resection, and neurological outcome after surgery.

Aim. To determine predictors of intracranial meningioma consistency using magnetic resonance imaging and T1, T2‑mapping technique.

Materials and methods. The study included 96 patients with primary meningiomas who underwent surgery at the Federal Neurosurgical Center (Novosibirsk) between 2018 and 2021. Magnetic resonance images were analyzed using calculation of the ratio between signal intensity on T1‑weighted and T2‑weighted images with subsequent group and correlation statistical analysis for comparison of T1, T2‑mapping results with clinical, histological and intraoperative data.

Results. Statistically significant increase in the signal intensity and standard deviation from the mean intensity on T1, T2‑maps of psammomatous meningiomas compared to all other subtypes was observed. Additionally, positive correlation between signal intensity form meningiomas on T1, T2‑maps and intraoperative data on tumor consistency was found.

Conclusion. Images obtained using T, T2‑mapping technique are as informative as traditional T2‑weighted images for evaluation of intracranial meningioma consistency. Additionally, they allow to obtain absolute intensity values. Further prospective studies are necessary for confirmation of the obtained results.

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