A case of atypical meningioma presenting spontaneous infarction: the findings of magnetic resonance imaging, including amide proton transfer-chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging

We report the MRI findings of a patient with an atypical meningioma who presented with spontaneous infarction. A 67-year-old man with histories of recurrent meningioma complained of left ocular protrusion and a subsequent biopsy revealed atypical meningioma. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a uniformly enhancing tumor in the left ethmoid sinus, but MRI 2 days later showed no enhancement on Gd-T1WI and severe diffusion restriction on DWI, indicating spontaneous infarction. APT-CEST imaging showed slight hypointensity in comparison to the normal brain with a mean MTR asymmetry value of 0.48%. Tumor regrowth was confirmed on MRI after 2 months. The recurrent tumor showed moderate diffusion restriction on DWI and hyperintensity with a mean MTR asymmetry value of 2.59% on APT-CEST imaging. The decreased signal on APT-CEST at the time of spontaneous infarction may have been attributed to intratumoral acidosis and loss of viable tumor. APT-CEST imaging is useful for evaluating the intratumoral condition and tumor viability of the infarcted or ischemic tumor.