Metabolic profiling of atypical meningioma and recurrent meningioma: a comparative analysis with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

In cases pathologically graded as WHO grade 2 or 3 meningiomas, metabolic products such as glutamine, glutamate, lipids, and choline increased significantly. These changes were correlated with elevation of the MIB-1 LI. In group II, the mean MIB-1 LI was 8.58, significantly higher than in group I, suggesting a strong association with pathological malignancy. Therefore, 1H-MRS may help to noninvasively predict tumor metabolic activity and tumor recurrence. Furthermore, the authors concluded from the ROC analysis that glutamine may be a potential indicator of future growth of meningioma and benefits of early surgery.