Meningiomas: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome

Meningiomas contains the most up-to-date information currently available on this increasingly common type of brain tumour, with contributions from internationally recognized experts in their respective fields working towards the uniform vision of one world-renowned editor.


As the reported incidences of meningiomas found among otherwise healthy patients has increased over the last few years, so too has our understanding of them, aided in particular by advances in imaging studies such as computer tomography and magnetic resonance testing. As a result, meningiomas as a disease entity, is continuing to rise in clinical importance throughout neurology, neurosurgery and primary care, particularly in geriatrics. Moreover, its socio-economic impact on society will further increase over the next few decades, as the aging population also increases, with people living longer and enjoying healthier lives than ever before.


Publication of a fully comprehensive and updated textbook on this important subject of meningiomas is therefore critically needed now to incorporate all of the aforementioned advancements. Meningiomas is an authoritative title, summarising the entirety of the topic, aimed at neurosurgeons, neurologists and general medical libraries throughout the world.

Table of contents
I GENERAL INFORMATION: Historical Perspective.- Epidemiology.- Meninges: Embryology.- Pathology.- Natural history, growth rates, recurrence.- II DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS: Diagnostic radiology I: CT, MRI, Angio.- Diagnostic radiology II: Nuclear med, MRS, PET.- Lesions mimicking meningiomas.- Interventional radiology: Angio, embolization.- Neuro-ophthalmological evaluations.- III BASIC SCIENCE: Meningioma tumorigenesis: Review of basic science.- Meningothelial meningiomas.- Meningiomas of the central neuraxis.- Future treatment modalities I: Targeting the NF-2 & Ras Pathways.- Future treatment modalities II: Gene Therapy in meningiomas.- IV MANAGEMENT: Management options and principles.- Surgery: General principles.- Surgical adjuncts I: Endoscopy in meningioma surgery.- Surgical adjuncts: Image guided/CAS.- Seizures associated with meningiomas.- V ADJUNCT TREATMENT MODALITIES: Recent advances in therapeutic radiation.- Conventional RT for meningiomas.- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.- Linear Accelerator Radiosurgery.- Brachytheraphy.- Medical therapy.- VI SURGICAL OUTCOME IN MENINGIOMA SURGERY: The factors influencing outcome in meningioma surgery.- The influence of co-morbidity and age in meningioma surgery outcome.- The influence of the tumor location, size and preoperative neurological symptoms in meningioma surgery outcome.- VII PATIENT SELECTION FOR SURGERY: THE ‘CLASS’ ALGORITHM: ‘CLASS’ algorithmic scale for surgical decision making: Rationale and design.- Validity of the ‘CLASS’ algorithmic scale: A retrospective study.- Utility of the ‘CLASS’ algorithmic scale: A prospective study.- VIII MENINGIOMAS BY LOCATION: PRESENTATION, SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS, SURGICAL TECHNIQUE, OUTCOME: Convexity.- Parasagittal.- Falcine.- Olfactory groove/Planum spenoidale.- Tuberculum sella.- Clinoidal.- Optic Sheath: Aggressive.- Optic Sheath: Conservative.- Lateral and middle sphenoid wing.- Orbitosphenoid.- Cavernous sinus: Aggressive.- Cavernous sinus: Conservative.- Temporal bone.- Petroclival: Aggressive.- Petroclival: Conservative.- Petrous.- Clival/Foramen Magnum.- Cerebellar convexity.- Tentorial.- Torcular/transverse & sigmoid sinus.- Pineal.- Ventricular.- Jugular foramen.- Paranasal sinuses.- Pediatric.- NF2/multiple.- Spinal.- IX MISCELLANEOUS: Meningioma surgery: Personal philosophy.- Functional improvement in meningioma surgery.- The rationale for surgery in young patients with small meningiomas.- Dural reconstruction.- Cranial reconstruction.