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Seminars in Neurosurgery 2003; 14(3): 163-168
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-817732
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Meningioma, the Soul of Neurosurgery: Historical Review

Huan Wang1 , Giuseppe Lanzino1 , Edward R. Laws Jr.2
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Illinois Neurological Institute, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, Illinois
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health Services Center, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
02 June 2004 (online)

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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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