Non-Contrast T2-Weighted MR Sequences for Long Term Monitoring of Asymptomatic Convexity Meningiomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nGadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) used to enhance MRs have been linked to tissue deposition, including in the brain. The management of indolent tumors such as meningiomas requires frequent MRs to monitor for interval growth. Given concern regarding GBCA deposition, we sought to determine if non-contrast MRs in patients with asymptomatic meningiomas were equivalent to GBCA-enhanced MRs in surveillance monitoring.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThis IRB-approved retrospective chart review included 106 MR sequences from 18 patients. Inclusion criteria were adult patients with asymptomatic meningiomas who received baseline contrast-enhanced and non-contrast axial MR imaging of the brain. Exclusion criteria included: 1) baseline or follow-up axial images were not available for review 2) baseline scan was obtained without contrast 3) diagnosis of meningioma was uncertain. Percent tumor growth was measured by comparing cross-sectional area at maximum tumor diameter from the earliest and most recent scans. For each patient, change in tumor size over time was compared using T1+contrast, T2, and T2 FLAIR sequences. These were compared to a qualitative consensus reading by a neurosurgeon and a neuroradiologist.\n\n\nRESULTS\nMeasured change of greater than 10% was taken to represent tumor growth. In 17 out of 18 patients, measurement of non-contrast studies (T2 and T2 FLAIR) matched consensus. For one patient, imaging on T2 suggested 11% growth while T2 FLAIR and overall consensus was stability.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nOur study provides evidence that non-contrasted MR images are equivalent to contrast-weighted MRs to follow change in tumor size over time in asymptomatic meningiomas.