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Meningiomas: treated and untreated.
The Medical Journal of Australia
|May 10, 1975
Summary
Meningiomas, brain tumors often treatable with surgery, were missed in 18 of 78 cases over 10 years. Gradual psychological decline may indicate an undiagnosed intracranial lesion.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Meningiomas are common primary brain tumors.
- Surgical resection is often curative.
- Diagnosis can be challenging, especially with subtle presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review a 10-year series of meningiomas in Western Australia.
- To identify cases of meningiomas undiagnosed during life.
- To compare findings with existing literature regarding clinical presentation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 78 meningioma cases over a 10-year period.
- Analysis of clinical data and diagnostic records.
- Literature comparison of clinical features and diagnostic challenges.
Main Results:
- 18 out of 78 (23%) meningiomas were undiagnosed during the patients' lives.
- The study highlights diagnostic delays in certain meningioma cases.
- Comparison with literature suggests a consistent pattern of missed diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- Meningiomas should be considered in patients with gradual psychological deterioration.
- Early exclusion of benign intracranial space-occupying lesions is crucial.
- Improved diagnostic awareness may reduce missed meningioma diagnoses.