Diagnostic Accuracy of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient value in Detection of Intracranial Malignant Meningioma Taking Histopathology as Gold Standard

Abstract

Background: Meningiomas represent the most prevalent type of primary non-glial intracranial tumors located outside the brain's neural tissue. They typically develop on the brain's surface and are seldom found within the brain ventricles. The measurement of ADC values is a dependable and non-invasive method for distinguishing between benign and malignant meningiomas. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of apparent diffusion coefficient value in detection of intracranial malignant meningioma taking histopathology as gold standard. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: The present study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences. Duration: Study was done during a period of six months from Jan 2021 to July 2021. Methods: Patients suspected for intracranial meningiomas who have undergone imaging studies and subsequently received histopathological confirmation were included. ADC maps were analyzed by experienced radiologists who were blinded to the histopathological results. ADC values were recorded and used for subsequent analysis. Histopathological reports of patients who underwent surgical resection or biopsy were obtained from the pathology department. The presence or absence of malignant meningioma was determined based on histopathological analysis, which served as the gold standard for diagnosis. All the information was collected via study proforma and analysis was done by using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 40 individuals who were suspected of having intracranial malignant meningioma were studied; their mean age of the patients was 42.25 ± 9.98 years. Females were in majority 25(62.2%) and males were 15(37.5%). Apparent diffusion coefficient value showed the sensitivity 82%, specificity 82%, PPV 77%, NPV 86% and accuracy 82% in the diagnosis of intracranial malignant meningioma by taking histopathology as gold standard. Conclusion: ADC values have proven to be a dependable and non-invasive technique for effectively distinguishing between benign and malignant meningiomas.