The Dural Tail Sign in the Diagnosis of Meningiomas

Abstract

In humans the dural tail is a sign seen on contrast enhanced T1 weighted magnetic resonance images. This finding is considered specific for meningioma. The purpose of this study was to determine how often the dural tail occurs in cats and dogs and whether it is a specific sign for meningiomas in these species. MR examinations for eighteen dogs and four cats with proven diagnoses were reviewed. Diagnoses included ten meningiomas (seven dogs and three cats), three gliomas, two pituitary tumors, single examples of two other tumor types and five patients with mass lesions due to inflammatory disease. Contrast enhanced T1 weighted images were evaluated independently by three of the authors for the presence of a dural tail, without knowledge of the diagnoses. The results were compared to the diagnosis for each patient and the performance of individual reviewers compared. When their results were averaged, the reviewers reported the presence of a dural tail in 6 of 10 (60%) meningiomas, although detection varied between observers from 40% to 80%. Each reviewer had one false positive result, two reported a dural tail with a chromophobe adenocarcinoma and one with a toxoplasma meningoencephalitis. When a dural tail is seen an associated mass is most likely a meningioma. It is uncertain whether the dural tail represents neoplastic infiltration beyond the margins of the meningioma. This should be considered when planning treatment.

Advances in Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities for Intracranial Tumors

“…Large cystic structures may be associated with many tumor types, but they occur most commonly with meningiomas where their frequency is approximately 25% 15. Presence of “dural tails” and ring enhancement patterns on postcontrast T1‐weighted images has been associated with meningiomas and gliomas, respectively, but studies suggest that these patterns may be seen in a wide variety of intracranial diseases 53, 56, 59. Realistically, many therapeutic decisions are made based on presumptive imaging‐based data, but the limitations of these data and the consequences in individual animals should not be overlooked.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histological Classification of Intracranial Meningiomas in 112 Dogs

“…The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of canine meningiomas are variously described in small case series and case reports, 5,7,9,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] and predilection sites have been proposed based on the dural site of origin. In humans, the predictive accuracy of diagnosing meningiomas based on their MRI characteristics is between 65 and 96%.…”

Case Report: Diagnosis of Cerebello-Pontine Angle Meningioma through Magnetic Resonance Imaging in an Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)

“…However, meningiomas are among the most common intracranial neoplasm in domestic cats and sufficient data regarding location, associated symptoms and diagnostic features of these lesions in this species has been documented in literature [4,9]. Therefore, information for diagnosis of intracranial tumors in wild felids can only be extrapolated from that of small animals.…”