A 45-year-old woman has a CT showing a well-circumscribed dural-based extra-axial mass with homogeneous contrast enhancement and a 'dural tail' sign. She has mild headache only. The 2021 WHO CNS tumour classification grade most often assigned to most meningiomas is:

• A WHO Grade 2
• B WHO Grade 1 ✓
• C WHO Grade 3
• D WHO Grade 4

Explanation

Approximately 80% of meningiomas are WHO Grade 1 (benign), which are slow-growing, extra-axial, and dural-based tumours arising from meningothelial (arachnoid cap) cells. The dural tail sign on MRI reflects thickening of adjacent dura but is not specific for meningioma. WHO Grade 2 (atypical) and Grade 3 (anaplastic/malignant) meningiomas have higher recurrence rates requiring adjuvant radiotherapy. Most WHO Grade 1 meningiomas are managed with observation if asymptomatic or surgical resection (Simpson Grade I–III) for symptomatic lesions.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.