# Diagnostic Challenges in Intracranial Rosai-Dorfman Disease: Differentiating It From Meningiomas Using Imaging

**Authors:** Jad F Mourad, Mark Bryniarski

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.82091 · Cureus · 2025-04-11

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the diagnostic challenges of intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease, which can resemble meningiomas on imaging and highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis for proper treatment.

## Contribution

The paper presents a case study that highlights unique imaging features to differentiate RDD from meningiomas.

## Key findings

- RDD can mimic meningiomas radiographically but has atypical MRI features such as restricted diffusion and lower ADC values.
- Accurate diagnosis of RDD is crucial for appropriate management and treatment decisions.

## Abstract

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (non-LCH) with intracranial involvement being exceptionally uncommon. We report a 45-year-old woman presenting with neurological symptoms initially suggestive of a stroke, later found to have a dural-based lesion resembling a meningioma. MRI revealed a mixed T1 isointense to hyperintense and T2 hyperintense mass with restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and lower apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, findings atypical for meningiomas. Intracranial RDD commonly mimics meningiomas radiographically but can be distinguished by unique imaging features. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for isolated lesions, though recurrence is possible. This case highlights the importance of recognizing RDD in the differential diagnosis of dural-based lesions to ensure accurate diagnosis and tailored management.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Rosai-Dorfman disease (MONDO:0006412), stroke (MONDO:0005098)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** dural-based lesion (MESH:D019292), stroke (MESH:D020521), RDD (MESH:D015618), Meningiomas (MESH:D008579), non-LCH (MESH:D015616)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12066108/full.md

## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12066108/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12066108