Management of benign skull base meningiomas: a review

The optimal management of benign meningiomas of the skull base is reviewed. Elderly patients with small, asymptomatic tumors can be observed and treatment can be initiated if and when progression occurs. Patients with tumors that appear to be amenable to complete resection with an acceptable rate of morbidity are optimally treated with surgery. Decompression of more extensive tumors through conservative subtotal resection and preservation of the involved cranial nerves may result in improved neurological function. Either alone or after subtotal resection, radiosurgery is indicated for tumors that can be treated adequately with this modality. Larger, ill-defined tumors and those that abut radiosensitive structures such as the optic nerve(s) are optimally treated with radiotherapy. Extensive subtotal resections that sacrifice one or more cranial nerves are no more likely to enhance the probability of success of subsequent radiotherapy than more conservative procedures.