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

The primary differential are [[neurogenic tumor]]s ([[spinal schwannoma]] & [[spinal neurofibroma]]):

Typically located anteriorly (compared to [[spinal meningioma]]s that are usually located posterolaterally)

Tendency for multiplicity
    
May have low-intensity central regions on post-contrast T1 and T2 weighted images
    
Not associated with a broad dural base
    
Neural exit foraminal widening is more commonly seen with nerve sheath tumours.

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Although spinal gout is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with symptoms of spinal stenosis, a suspicion of neoplastic lesion of the spine, and a previous history of gout. Early diagnosis can ensure proper and timely medical management, perhaps avoiding neurological compromise and the need for surgery
((Ribeiro da Cunha P, Peliz AJ, Barbosa M. Tophaceous gout of the lumbar spine
mimicking a spinal meningioma. Eur Spine J. 2016 Nov 5. [Epub ahead of print]
PubMed PMID: 27817138.)).

Expert's comment concerning Grand Rounds case entitled "Tophaceous gout of the lumbar spine mimicking a spinal meningioma" by Pedro Ribeiro da Cunha Ferreira, António Judice Peliz, and Marcos Barbosa (Eur Spine J, 2016; DOI 10.1007/s00586-016-4831-7)
((Ali HI. Expert's comment concerning Grand Rounds case entitled "Tophaceous
gout of the lumbar spine mimicking a spinal meningioma" by Pedro Ribeiro da Cunha
Ferreira, António Judice Peliz, and Marcos Barbosa (Eur Spine J, 2016; DOI
10.1007/s00586-016-4831-7). Eur Spine J. 2016 Nov 17. [Epub ahead of print]
PubMed PMID: 27858235.
)).

Primary Spinal Lymphoma Masquerading as Meningioma: Pre-and post-operative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings
((Arslan H, Yavuz A, Aycan A. Primary Spinal Lymphoma Masquerading as
Meningioma: Pre-and post-operative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings. World
Neurosurg. 2018 Apr 26. pii: S1878-8750(18)30849-0. doi:
10.1016/j.wneu.2018.04.129. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29705229.
)).