obsolete anaplastic intraspinal meningioma

Obsolete Anaplastic Intraspinal Meningioma

Anaplastic intraspinal meningiomas, also known as WHO grade III meningiomas, are a rare and aggressive type of spinal tumor. They account for approximately 5% of all meningiomas and manifest a more malignant behavior compared to their benign counterparts.

Characteristics:

• Aggressive growth: Anaplastic intraspinal meningiomas grow rapidly and can cause significant symptoms such as pain, weakness, and numbness in the affected area.
• High recurrence rates: These tumors have high recurrence rates, ranging from 50% to 94%, even after surgical resection [11].
• Poor prognosis: Anaplastic intraspinal meningiomas are associated with a poor prognosis, particularly if left untreated or inadequately managed.

Comparison with other types:

• Benign vs. anaplastic: Unlike benign spinal meningiomas (WHO grade I), which have a mostly favorable prognosis, anaplastic intraspinal meningiomas exhibit more aggressive behavior and are associated with higher recurrence rates.
• Intracranial vs. intraspinal: Anaplastic intraspinal meningiomas differ from their intracranial counterparts in terms of tumor size, growth patterns, and clinical presentation.

References:

[11] Natarajan JM, et al. (2021). WHO grade II and III meningiomas: A review of the literature. [12] Kwee LE, et al. (2020). Spinal meningiomas: A study of 55 cases.

Diagnostic Tests for Obsolete Anaplastic Intraspinal Meningioma

Anaplastic intraspinal meningiomas are rare and aggressive tumors that require prompt diagnosis and treatment. While the majority of spinal meningiomas are benign, anaplastic ones can be challenging to diagnose due to their rarity and similarity in appearance to other spinal lesions.

Imaging Modalities

Several imaging modalities can aid in the diagnosis of anaplastic intraspinal meningioma:

• Computed Tomography (CT): CT scans can help identify the tumor's location, size, and potential involvement with surrounding structures. However, they may not provide sufficient detail for definitive diagnosis.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is considered indispensable for diagnosing spinal tumors, including anaplastic meningiomas. It provides detailed images of the spine, nerve roots, and cord, helping to determine the tumor's extent and potential impact on surrounding structures.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET): PET scans can help identify areas of high metabolic activity within the tumor, which may indicate aggressive behavior.

Other Diagnostic Tests

In addition to imaging modalities, other diagnostic tests may be employed:

• Biopsy: A biopsy may be performed to obtain tissue samples for histopathological examination. However, this is typically reserved for cases where imaging and clinical findings are inconclusive.
• Genetic Testing: Genetic testing can help identify genetic mutations associated with anaplastic meningiomas.

Challenges in Diagnosis

Diagnosing anaplastic intraspinal meningioma can be challenging due to:

• Similarity to other spinal lesions: Anaplastic meningiomas may resemble other spinal tumors, making diagnosis more difficult.
• Limited availability of diagnostic procedures: Novel genomic and epigenomic approaches are expensive and not readily accessible in all regions.

References

[3] The primary treatment of spinal meningiomas remains surgery. Complete resection of spinal meningiomas is achieved in most of the cases.[4] We focus on conventional and advanced spinal tumor imaging techniques, including computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.[11] INTRODUCTION. Meningiomas are slow-growing tumors derived from the arachnoid “cap cells,” accounting for 20% of all primary intracranial neoplasms and 25% of all intraspinal tumors.[13] with benign meningiomas when treatments are evaluated. In addition, because there has not been one histopathological classification scheme for atypical and anaplastic meningiomas in the past, there are numerous inconsistencies in the literature.