====== Incidental meningioma ====== {{rss>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rss/search/1nCmaYatDJZTUyZT9MssJESG6I5nfn1K8YjpJet22npLjxRg0r/?limit=15&utm_campaign=pubmed-2&fc=20250403170029}} [[Meningioma]]s are the most common primary intracranial tumors, and most remain asymptomatic throughout the patient’s life. ---- [[Asymptomatic meningioma]]s with calcification seen on CT and/or [[Hypointensity]] on T2 weighted image MRI appeared to have a slower growth rate ((Kuratsu J-I, Kochi M, Ushio Y. Incidence and Clinical Features of Asymptomatic Meningiomas. J Neurosurg. 2000; 92:766–770)). ---- The routine use of CT & MRI for numerous indications inevitably results in the discovery of incidental (asymptomatic) meningiomas. In a population-based study (the study population was middle-class Caucasians and result, may not be generalizable to other groups), [[incidental meningioma]]s were seen in 0.9% of MRIs. In another series, 32% of primary brain tumors seen in imaging studies were meningiomas, and 39% of these were asymptomatic. Of 63 cases followed for > 1 year with nonsurgical management, 68% showed no increase in size over an average follow-up of 36.6 mos, whereas 32% increased in size over 28 mos average follow-up. Data are lacking to make evidence-based management guidelines. A suggestion is to obtain a follow-up imaging study 3–4 months after the initial study to rule out rapid progression, and then repeat annually for 2–3 years. The development of symptoms would prompt performing a study at that time. Treatment is indicated for lesions that produce symptoms that cannot be satisfactorily controlled medically, or for those that demonstrate significant continued growth on serial imaging studies. When surgery was performed, the perioperative morbidity rate was statistically significantly higher in patients > 70 years old (23%) than in those < 70 (3.5%). ---- Asymptomatic [[intracranial meningioma]] is a [[benign]] [[disease]]; however, nearly two-thirds of [[patient]]s experience tumor [[growth]] and one-third of untreated [[patient]]s eventually require neurosurgical [[intervention]]s during watchful waiting ((Kim KH, Kang SJ, Choi JW, Kong DS, Seol HJ, Nam DH, Lee JI. Clinical and radiological outcomes of proactive Gamma knife radiosurgery for asymptomatic meningiomas compared with the natural course without intervention. J Neurosurg. 2018 May 18:1-10. doi: 10.3171/2017.12.JNS171943. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29775154. )). In the series of Jadid et al., long-term tumour growth of incidentally detected asymptomatic meningiomas appeared to be much higher than expected. This information needs to be considered when discussing surgery, since the indication for surgery may be stronger than previously stated, especially for younger patients with tumours that can be reached at low risk ((Jadid KD, Feychting M, Höijer J, Hylin S, Kihlström L, Mathiesen T. Long-term follow-up of incidentally discovered meningiomas. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2015 Feb;157(2):225-30. doi: 10.1007/s00701-014-2306-3. Epub 2014 Dec 14. PubMed PMID: 25503298. )). Niiro et al., stated that in [[elderly]] patients with asymptomatic meningiomas, careful clinical follow up with imaging studies is important. The imaging features mentioned in his article may contribute to prediction of tumour growth ((Niiro M, Yatsushiro K, Nakamura K, Kawahara Y, Kuratsu J. Natural history of elderly patients with asymptomatic meningiomas. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2000 Jan;68(1):25-8. PubMed PMID: 10601396; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1760589. )). For Yoneoka et al., clinical and radiological observations would be advisable for these patients (especially young patients and patients with a large tumour), in view of the presence of rapidly growing tumours in some of the patients ((Yoneoka Y, Fujii Y, Tanaka R. Growth of incidental meningiomas. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2000;142(5):507-11. PubMed PMID: 10898357. )). Hashimoto et al., observed that Skull base [[incidental meningioma]]s (IDM) tend not to grow, which is different from non-skull base tumors. Even when IDMs grow, the rate of growth is significantly lower than that of non-skull base tumors. The same conclusion with regard to biological behavior was confirmed in symptomatic cases based on [[MIB-1 index]] analyses. This findings may impact the understanding of the incidental [[intracranial meningioma natural history]], as well as strategies for management and treatment of IDMs and symptomatic meningiomas ((Hashimoto N, Rabo CS, Okita Y, Kinoshita M, Kagawa N, Fujimoto Y, Morii E, Kishima H, Maruno M, Kato A, Yoshimine T. Slower growth of skull base meningiomas compared with non-skull base meningiomas based on volumetric and biological studies. J Neurosurg. 2012 Mar;116(3):574-80. doi: 10.3171/2011.11.JNS11999. Epub 2011 Dec 16. PubMed PMID: 22175721. )). ===== Management ===== [[Incidental meningioma management]]. ===== Asymptomatic meningioma case series ===== see [[Asymptomatic meningioma case series]]. ===== References =====