The natural history of untreated skull base meningiomas.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to determine the natural history of untreated skull base meningiomas. Although there are reports on the natural history of meningiomas, most series contain only a few cases of meningiomas involving the skull base. Natural history information is important when recommending treatment and evaluating results.


METHODS
The case records and imaging studies of 40 patients with skull base meningiomas from a single practice were reviewed. These patients either did not receive treatment or there was a long delay from the onset of symptoms to the initiation of treatment.


RESULTS
Skull base meningiomas may be very indolent tumors. Patients with these tumors have lived long, comfortable, and relatively productive lives without treatment or with delayed treatment. Impairment may be much less than imaging studies would suggest.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors are not advocating that skull base meningiomas not receive treatment. However, their unique experience with this group of patients provides convincing evidence that the indolent behavior of some skull base meningiomas must be considered when recommending various surgical and radiation procedures and interpreting their results in relationship to the functional outcome of the patient.
Bindal
Rajesh
R
Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroophthalmology and Neuroradiology Clarian Health Methodist Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Goodman
Julius M
JM
Kawasaki
Aki
A
Purvin
Valerie
V
Kuzma
Benjamin
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques