Meningioma

Last reviewed: 28 Feb 2023
Last updated: 19 Apr 2018

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • family history of brain tumor
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • headache
  • neurologic deficit
  • seizure
  • family history of NF2
  • history of breast cancer
  • history of radiation
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • radiation therapy
  • genetic predisposition
  • hormones: endogenous and exogenous
  • head trauma
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • MRI head or spine without and with contrast
  • CT head or spine
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • angiography
  • histopathology of surgical resection
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

age ≤65 years and good surgical candidate

age >65 years or poor surgical candidate

ONGOING

recurrent tumor following surgical resection

Contributors

Authors

William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FACS
William T. Couldwell

Professor and Chairman

Department of Neurosurgery

University of Utah School of Medicine

Salt Lake City

UT

Disclosures

WTC is an author of several references cited in this topic.

Acknowledgements

Professor William T. Couldwell would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Jayson A. Neil, a previous contributor to this topic. JAN declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Marc Chamberlain, MD

Professor of Neurology

Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

University of Washington

Seattle

WA

Disclosures

MC is an author of several references cited in this topic.

Ian McCutcheon, MD

Professor of Neurosurgery

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Houston

TX

Disclosures

IM declares that he has no competing interests.

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