MRI OF PRIMARY MENINGEAL SARCOMAS IN 2 CHILDREN - DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Meningeal sarcomas are very rare, highly aggressive tumours affecting children more frequently than adults. The clinical course and MRI of m eningeal sarcomas in two cases are discussed with special regard to po ssible misinterpretation. In one case MRI demonstrated a circumscribed mass in contact with the meninges, with central areas of haemorrhage, In the other, a case of primary leptomeningeal sarcomatosis, several MRI examinations over the course of almost a year were unhelpful, desp ite severe neurological complaints. Then MRI revealed meningeal contra st enhancement all over the brain and spinal canal, together with cere bral infarcts, MRI of meningeal sarcomas has not been discussed in the literature, MRI did not permit specific diagnosis, but enabled visual isation of the extent of the tumour and/or meningeal involvement, Earl y histological diagnosis is indispensable for adequate treatment.