{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]],"date-time":"2026-08-14T07:29:00Z","timestamp":1786692540595,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Scientific Scholar","content-domain":{"domain":["surgicalneurologyint.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"\n Background:<\/jats:title>\n Intracranial meningiomas usually appear as extra-axial tumors with distinctive radiological features that aid in diagnosis. However, a rare subset shows atypical imaging traits and can closely resemble gliomas, leading to diagnostic challenges and impacting surgical decisions and treatment. This review aimed to systematically analyze the literature on intracranial meningiomas that present like gliomas and to summarize their clinical, radiological, pathological, and outcome features.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods:<\/jats:title>\n A systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception to June 2026. The review included studies on intracranial meningiomas that were suspected to be gliomas based on radiological, clinical, or intraoperative assessments. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging features, pathology results, treatments, and outcomes were collected and summarized descriptively.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results:<\/jats:title>\n A total of 17 studies involving 28 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 47 years, with a range from 4 to 74 years, and 64.3% of the patients were male. Preoperative suspicion of glioma was noted in 85.7% of cases, with 42.9% specifically suspected of being high-grade gliomas. Most lesions appeared intra-axial (75.0%), were located intraparenchymally (96.4%), lacked dural attachment (89.3%), and showed peritumoral edema (67.9%). Cystic changes occurred in 46.4% of patients. Histopathology mainly identified World Health Organization Grade I meningiomas (78.6%), despite imaging suggesting a more aggressive nature. Gross total resection was achieved in 78.6% of patients and was generally associated with favorable outcomes. Recurrence and death were each reported in one patient (3.6%).<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion:<\/jats:title>\n Intracranial meningiomas that resemble gliomas are uncommon lesions often showing atypical radiological features such as an intra-axial appearance, lack of dural attachment, significant peritumoral edema, and cystic changes. Although they are frequently misdiagnosed before surgery, most of these lesions are low-grade meningiomas, which tend to have good postoperative results. Being aware of these unusual presentations can help improve diagnosis and support better surgical planning.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.25259\/sni_808_2026","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]],"date-time":"2026-08-14T06:53:35Z","timestamp":1786690415000},"page":"466","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.25259\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Intracranial meningiomas mimicking gliomas: A systematic review of clinical, radiological, and histopathological characteristics"],"prefix":"10.25259","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Ali K.","family":"Al-Shalchy","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgery, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nooruldeen H. Ali","family":"Al-Khafaji","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgery, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rania H.","family":"Al-Taie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Surgery, Mustansiriyah University, College of Medicine, Baghdad, Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"10894","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2281","DOI":"10.1212\/WNL.0000000000003364","article-title":"Atypical meningioma mimicking high-grade glioma","volume":"87","author":"Ahmed","year":"2016","journal-title":"Neurology"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-2","first-page":"ED07","article-title":"Intraparenchymal angiomatous meningioma: A diagnostic dilemma","volume":"9","author":"Bansal","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Clin Diagn Res"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"616","DOI":"10.1016\/S0967-5868(03)00135-8","article-title":"Intraventricular malignant meningioma: One case report","volume":"10","author":"Chen","year":"2003","journal-title":"J Clin Neurosci"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-4","first-page":"Doc12","article-title":"Bilateral rhabdoid meningioma mimicking glioma: An unusual occurrence","volume":"15","author":"Dalal","year":"2017","journal-title":"GMS Ger Med Sci"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.14791\/btrt.2022.0029","article-title":"A Meningioma with extensive peritumoral edema mimicking metastatic brain tumor: A case report","volume":"11","author":"Demaisip","year":"2023","journal-title":"Brain Tumor Res Treat"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e7927","DOI":"10.1002\/ccr3.7927","article-title":"A rare case of intra-parenchymal meningioma in a female patient who presented with seizures: A case report","volume":"11","author":"Duvuru","year":"2023","journal-title":"Clin Case Rep"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"87","DOI":"10.1186\/1752-1947-7-87","article-title":"Infratentorial benign cystic meningioma mimicking a hemangioblastoma radiologically and a pilocytic astrocytoma intraoperatively: A case report","volume":"7","author":"Guan","year":"2013","journal-title":"J Med Case Reports"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1220","DOI":"10.3171\/2016.3.JNS14243","article-title":"Dynamic susceptibility contrast and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI characteristics to distinguish microcystic meningiomas from traditional Grade I meningiomas and high-grade gliomas","volume":"126","author":"Hussain","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Neurosurg"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1023\/B:NEON.0000027759.54516.7c","article-title":"Sclerosing meningioma: Clinicopathological study of four cases","volume":"68","author":"Im","year":"2004","journal-title":"J Neurooncol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.1186\/1752-1947-8-467","article-title":"Intraparenchymal meningioma mimicking cavernous malformation: A case report and review of the literature","volume":"8","author":"Jadik","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Med Case Reports"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-11","article-title":"Critical Appraisal Tools for Use in JBI Systematic Reviews: Checklist for Case Series","author":"Joanna Briggs Institute","year":"2017"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"347","DOI":"10.1007\/s10014-011-0045-1","article-title":"Meningioangiomatosis-associated meningioma misdiagnosed as glioma by radiologic and intraoperative histological examinations","volume":"28","author":"Juan","year":"2011","journal-title":"Brain Tumor Pathol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"135","DOI":"10.25259\/SNI_131_2023","article-title":"Intraparenchymal meningioma in the parieto-occipital region: A case report of a diagnostically challenging tumor","volume":"14","author":"Khojah","year":"2023","journal-title":"Surg Neurol Int"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.1046\/j.0305-1846.2003.00517.x","article-title":"Sclerosing meningioma: Immunohistochemical analysis of five cases","volume":"30","author":"Kim","year":"2004","journal-title":"Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"648","DOI":"10.1097\/RLU.0000000000002233","article-title":"Combined 68Ga-NOTA-PRGD2 and 18F-FDG PET\/CT can discriminate uncommon meningioma mimicking high-grade glioma","volume":"43","author":"Li","year":"2018","journal-title":"Clin Nucl Med"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"CASE24611","DOI":"10.3171\/CASE24611","article-title":"Incidental pediatric intraparenchymal meningioma: Illustrative case","volume":"9","author":"Lino-Filho","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Neurosurg Case Lessons"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"324","DOI":"10.3109\/02688697.2010.535926","article-title":"Intraparenchymal recurrence of a dural meningioma: Association with rhabdoid alterations with aggressive biological and clinical behaviour","volume":"25","author":"Lofrese","year":"2011","journal-title":"Br J Neurosurg"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-18","first-page":"1231","article-title":"The 2021 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system: A summary","volume":"23","author":"Louis","year":"2021","journal-title":"NeuroOncol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-19","first-page":"381","article-title":"Brain and other central nervous system tumor statistics, 2021","volume":"71","author":"Miller","year":"2021","journal-title":"CA Cancer J Clin"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-20","first-page":"2127","article-title":"Methodological quality of case series studies: An introduction to the JBI critical appraisal tool","volume":"18","author":"Munn","year":"2020","journal-title":"JBI Evid Synth"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"iv1","DOI":"10.1093\/neuonc\/noaf194","article-title":"CBTRUS statistical Report: Primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2018-2022","volume":"27","author":"Price","year":"2025","journal-title":"Neuro-Oncol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1393","DOI":"10.3892\/etm.2014.1550","article-title":"Lateral ventricular cystic meningioma: 2 rare case reports","volume":"7","author":"Qiu","year":"2014","journal-title":"Exp Ther Med"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"975","DOI":"10.1097\/RLU.0000000000005924","article-title":"FluciclovinePET Uptake in microcystic meningioma mimicking high-grade glioma: A case report","volume":"50","author":"Takenaka","year":"2025","journal-title":"Clin Nucl Med"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-25","first-page":"2053","article-title":"Primary intraosseous meningioma: CT and MRI appearance","volume":"26","author":"Tokgoz","year":"2005","journal-title":"Am J Neuroradiol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.1016\/S0303-8467(99)00059-1","article-title":"Intracerebral cyst associated with meningioma","volume":"101","author":"Ueno","year":"1999","journal-title":"Clin Neurol Neurosurg"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1093\/jnen\/nlv006","article-title":"Meningiomas with rhabdoid features lacking other histologic features of malignancy: A study of 44 cases and review of the literature","volume":"75","author":"Vaubel","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Neuropathol Exp Neurol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1007\/s007010050026","article-title":"A case of subcortical meningioma","volume":"142","author":"Wada","year":"2000","journal-title":"Acta Neurochir (Wien)"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1007\/s10014-010-0273-9","article-title":"A cystic meningioma misdiagnosed as malignant glioma by radiologic and intraoperative histological examinations","volume":"27","author":"Yamada","year":"2010","journal-title":"Brain Tumor Pathol"},{"key":"10.25259\/SNI_808_2026\/ref-30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1137849","DOI":"10.3389\/fonc.2023.1137849","article-title":"Intracranial meningiomas: An update of the 2021 World Health Organization classifications and review of management with a focus on radiation therapy","volume":"13","author":"Yarabarla","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Oncol"}],"container-title":["Surgical Neurology International"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/surgicalneurologyint.com\/intracranial-meningiomas-mimicking-gliomas-a-systematic-review-of-clinical-radiological-and-histopathological-characteristics\/","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/surgicalneurologyint.com\/surgicalint-articles\/intracranial-meningiomas-mimicking-gliomas-a-systematic-review-of-clinical-radiological-and-histopathological-characteristics\/","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]],"date-time":"2026-08-14T06:53:39Z","timestamp":1786690419000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/surgicalneurologyint.com\/surgicalint-articles\/intracranial-meningiomas-mimicking-gliomas-a-systematic-review-of-clinical-radiological-and-histopathological-characteristics\/"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]},"references-count":30,"alternative-id":["10.25259\/SNI_808_2026"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.25259\/sni_808_2026","relation":{},"ISSN":["2152-7806","2229-5097"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2152-7806","type":"electronic"},{"value":"2229-5097","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]]},"article-number":"466"}}