Utility of preoperative meningioma consistency measurement with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE): a review

Meningioma consistency is a critical factor that influences preoperative planning for surgical resection. Recent studies have investigated the utility of preoperative magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in predicting meningioma consistency. However, it is unclear whether existing methods are optimal for application to clinical practice. The results and conclusions of these studies are limited by their imaging acquisition methods, such as the use of a single MRE frequency and the use of shear modulus as the final measurement variable, rather than its storage and loss modulus components. In addition, existing studies do not account for the effects of cranial anatomy, which have been shown to significantly distort the MRE signal. Given the interaction of meningiomas with these anatomic structures and the lack of supporting evidence with more accurate imaging parameters, MRE may not yet be reliable for use in clinical practice.