“Dural Tail Sign”

Somewhat conflicting reports have appeared about the significance of linear meningeal thickening and enhancement adjacent to peripherally located cranial mass lesions on contrast enhanced magnetic resonance images. Some authors consider this finding nearly diagnostic of meningioma. In an attempt to determine the specificity of this so-called tail sign, particularly with respect to meningioma, we retrospectively reviewed 16 cases from institutional records. From our results, the tail sign appears to be highly suggestive but not specific for meningioma.