Cranial Meningiomas

General diagnostic aspects, growth pattern and treatment of meningiomas are discussed.

1 Meningiomas: A Clinico-Pathological Synopsis.- 1.1 Epidemiology, Frequency, Sex and Age Predominance.- 1.2 Localization.- 1.3 Gross Pathology.- 1.4 General Histology.- 1.5 Recurrence.- 1.6 Metastasizing Meningiomas.- 1.7 Multiple Meningiomas.- 1.8 Experimental and Biological Aspects.- 2 The Skull X-Ray.- 2.1 General Observations.- 2.2 Specific Features.- 2.3 Differential Diagnosis.- 2.4 Meningiomas in Unusual Locations.- 3 Computed Tomography.- 3.1 General Efficacy.- 3.2 Typical Features.- 3.3 Atypical Features.- 3.4 Criteria for Malignancy.- 4 Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 4.1 General Aspects.- 4.2 Technical Aspects and Material.- 4.3 MRI Features of Meningiomas.- 4.4 Contrast Medium.- 4.5 Topographic Localization.- 4.6 Conclusions.- 5 Angiography.- 5.1 Angiographic Features.- 5.2 Angiographic Vascularization and Histological Type of Meningiomas.- 5.3 Meningeal Vascularization.- 5.4 Changes in the Venous Circulation.- 5.5 Indications for Angiography.- 6 Convexity, Parasagittal, and Falx Meningiomas.- 6.1 Incidence and Localization.- 6.2 Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 6.3 Angiography.- 6.4 Differential Diagnosis.- 7 Frontobasal Meningiomas.- 7.1 Incidence and Localization.- 7.2 Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 7.3 Angiography.- 7.4 Differential Diagnosis.- 8 Meningiomas of the Sphenoid Wing and Middle Cranial Fossa.- 8.1 Incidence and Localization.- 8.2 Lateral Sphenoid Wing Meningiomas.- 8.3 Medial Sphenoid Wing Meningiomas.- 8.4 Parasellar Meningiomas.- 8.5 Meningioma En Plaque.- 8.6 Temporobasal Meningiomas.- 8.7 Differential Diagnosis.- 9 Tentorial Meningiomas.- 9.1 Anatomical Considerations.- 9.2 Incidence and Localization.- 9.3 Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 9.4 Angiography.- 9.5 Differential Diagnosis.- 10 Meningiomas of the Posterior Fossa.- 10.1 Incidence and Localization.- 10.2 Meningiomas of the Posterior Surface of the Petrous Bone.- 10.3 Clival Meningiomas.- 10.4 Meningiomas of the Cerebellar Convexity.- 10.5 Meningiomas of the Fourth Ventricle.- 10.6 Differential Diagnosis.- 11 Particular Conditions.- 11.1 Cystic Meningiomas.- 11.2 Intraventricular Meningioma.- 11.3 Primary Orbital Meningiomas.- 11.4 Ectopic Meningiomas.- 12 Peritumoral Oedema in Meningiomas.- 12.1 Introductory Comments.- 12.2 Peritumoral Oedema in Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 12.3 Factors Involved in Oedema Production.- 12.4 Peritumoral Changes after Meningioma Excision.- 13 Meningioma Embolization.- 13.1 General Considerations.- 13.2 Meningioma Vascularization.- 13.3 Technical Aspects.- 13.4 Results.- 13.5 Conclusions.- 14 Surgical Perspective of Meningiomas.- 14.1 Historical Background.- 14.2 Clinical Presentation and Individual Sites.- 14.3 Surgical Technique.- 14.4 Prognosis.- Conclusion.- References.