A review on dural tail sign

World J Radiol. 2010 May 28;2(5):188-92. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i5.188.

Abstract

"Dural tail sign" (DTS) which is a thickening of the dura adjacent to an intracranial pathology on contrast-enhanced T1 MR Images, was first thought to be pathognomonic of meningioma, however, many subsequent studies demonstrated this sign adjacent to various intra- and extra-cranial pathologies and in spinal lesions. In this paper we outline the history, accompanying pathologies and the differentiation and probable pathophysiology of DTS. We also discuss whether we can predict tumoral involvement of the dural tail before surgery and whether the dural tail adjacent to a tumor should be resected.

Keywords: Dural tail sign; Histopathology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Meningioma.