Intracranial hemangiopericytoma: Radiology, surgery, radiotherapy, and outcome in 21 patients

Abstract At operation, 21 meningeal intracranial hemangiopericytomas resembled meningiomas, but differed histologically. They were frequently attached to sinuses, occipitally located, bled profusely at operation, and had a higher risk of recurrence and metastasis. Specific preoperative diagnosis is possible: computed tomography scan showed a meningiomalike tumor, which on the angiogram looked malignant and highly vascular. Two tumors showed a malignant growth pattern on computed tomography scan, "mushrooming." After a radical removal, three patients have lived for more than 10 years without recurrence; two of them were irradiated postoperatively. Three recurrent tumors were treated with radiotherapy only; one responded favorably.