Unique Radiological Appearance of a Microcystic Meningioma

Summary

 A 35-year-old female presented with partial complex seizures. Computed tomography (CT) showed a slightly high density mass over the right frontal convexity, with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed the tumour as a hypo-intense lesion, with faint reticular enhancement after intravenous injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid. The tumour was totally removed. The specimen was extremely soft and moist. The histological diagnosis was microcystic meningioma. The tumour cells were composed of typical meningothelial cells and stellate cells. The degenerative character of the tumour may be reflected in the poor enhancement on CT and MR imaging. This faint enhancement effect may be a neuro-imaging characteristic indication of this rare microcystic variant of meningioma.