Meningioma is the most common mass involving the dura, making it number one in the differential diagnosis for any dural-based mass; however, a variety of other neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions also involve the dura. Knowledge of the dural anatomy can provide clues to the various processes that may involve this location. The neoplastic processes include both benign and malignant lesions such as hemangiopericytoma, lymphoma, solitary fibrous tumor, melanocytic lesions, Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumors, Rosai-Dorfman disease, and metastatic lesions. The nonneoplastic processes include infectious and inflammatory entities such as tuberculosis and sarcoid, which may mimic mass lesions. In some cases, neoplasms such as gliosarcoma may arise peripherally from the brain parenchyma, appearing dural-based and even inciting a dural tail. Many of these share similar computed tomographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiographic characteristics with meningiomas, such as a dural tail, increased vascularity, avid enhancement, and similar signal characteristics; however, knowledge of the patient's age, gender, and underlying conditions and certain imaging characteristics may provide valuable clues to recognizing these lesions. For example, in the population with human immunodeficiency virus infection, Epstein-Barr virus-associated smooth muscle tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis for dural-based lesions. The surgical course and prognosis for these lesions vary, and knowledge of the variety of lesions that involve the dura, their imaging appearances, and their clinical features assists in narrowing the radiologic differential diagnosis and optimizing patient treatment.
© RSNA, 2014.