[Radiological diagnostics of meningiomas].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice for the diagnosis of sphenoid wing meningiomas. The close relationship situation to vascular and neural structures especially at the skull base can best be assessed with MRI. With a typical configuration and extent the diagnosis of meningiomas can be made on visual examination and MRI is also the standard imaging technique for follow-up of treated and asymptomatic meningiomas. In the preoperative evaluation, computed tomography is a complementary examination technique which can demonstrate the extent and type of bone involvement more precisely. This additional information is important to differentiate meningiomas from differential diagnoses, such as metastases, sarcomas, and primary osseous changes, such as fibrous dysplasia or Paget's disease. Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) and PET-MRI are also supplemental examination procedures which can be used for determining tumor volume before a planned radiotherapy and can be helpful in the diagnosis of atypical meningiomas due to the selective binding of the tracer DOTATOC. Conventional angiography is only rarely used preoperatively.