Surgical Management of Skull Base Meningiomas – An Overview

Meningiomas as extra axial tumours, developing from arachnoid cap cells may occur from all dural structures, cranial and spinal and rarely outside of these structures (Whittle et al. 2004). The skull base is an area with multiple neural structures as well as brain supplying adjacent arteries and veins. Meningiomas, growing on or within the skull can thus be very challenging for the neurosurgeon. In consequence, complete tumour removal without neural impairment is not always possible (Seifert 2010; Yasargil 1980) and surgery in this area, especially in petro-clival meningiomas, hazardous. Advances in microsurgical technique, development of new approaches and advancement of adjuvant therapies allow for reducing or removing meningiomas as well as a sufficient control of residual or recurrent tumours.