Meningioma, the Soul of Neurosurgery: Historical Review

ABSTRACT

The evolution of the diagnosis and treatment of meningiomas represents a microcosm of the evolution of neurosurgery. Collin MacCarty eloquently stated, “If we were to designate an intracranial neoplasm that has had the most effect on the development of neurologic surgery, very likely the intracranial meningioma would be prominently considered.” In many ways, a meningioma is the soul of neurosurgery. A review of the critical historical steps and bold pioneering attempts leading to the modern surgical treatment of meningiomas is appropriate to gain a sense of the future and discover the renewed pertinence of past ideas.

KEYWORDS

History of neurosurgery - history of medicine - meningioma

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