====== Spinal meningioma diagnosis ======


===== Radiographic features =====


The vast majority (90%) of [[spinal meningioma]]s are [[extramedullary intradural]] in location. Occasionally (5%) purely [[extradural]] tumours are found and the remainder (5%) have both [[intradural]] and extradural components taking on a [[dumbbell]] appearance. 

Interestingly spinal meningiomas are also not distributed evenly along the [[spinal canal]]:

[[Cervical spinal meningioma]] - 15%
    
thoracic spine - 80%
    
lumbosacral spine: uncommon 

Meningiomas are often located posterolaterally in the [[thoracic region]] and anteriorly in the [[cervical region]].

Most meningiomas are solitary lesions (98%). Multiple meningiomas are most often associated with NF2.

==== Plain film ====

usually normal

rarely bone [[erosion]] or [[calcification]].

===== CT =====
 
Isodense or moderately hyperdense mass
    
hyperostosis may be seen but is not as common as in the intracranial forms
    
calcification may be present

===== MRI =====

[[Spinal meningioma magnetic resonance imaging]]