Recognizing and Distinguishing the Phenomenon Referred to as Meningioma

Abstract

Background: The reliability of a recent review of meningiomas in the archeologic record was difficult to assess, given the inverted sex ratio of the report and other contents apparently at variance with anatomical/medical findings in scientifically identified cases. It therefore seemed appropriate to reexamine the nature of meningiomas and derive improve criteria for their recognition in the archeologic record and distinguish them from hemangiomas and bone marrow hyperplasia (recognized in the form of porotic hyperostosis). Methods: Medically documented cases of meningiomas were examined to establish a macroscopic standard distinguishing them. Alleged cases in the archeologic record were examined for conformity with those criteria. Results: An en face pattern of uniform mesh with contained whorls appears pathognomonic for meningiomas. This contrasts with the non-uniform marrow expansion displacement of trabeculae in porotic hyperostosis and non-uniform vascular displacement of trabeculae in hemangiomas. Reassessment of past attributions revealed few cases of meningiomas that could be confidently diagnosed. Those identified have sex ratios parsimonious with medical literature reports. Conclusions: Criteria suggested for identifying meningiomas permit distinguishing from hemangiomas, bone marrow hyperplasia (porotic hyperostosis) and from the macroscopically observable surface spicules characteristic of osteosarcomas. Examination for fulfillment of criteria for meningiomas and hemangiomas seems to provide a picture (including sex ratios) mirroring that of the clinical literature, concluding that Cook and Danforth’s disparate ratios were related to less fastidious case selection. Additionally, confidence in recognizing porotic hyperostosis may be compromised because of apparent similar macroscopic alterations to those seen with hemangiomas.

Meningioma with Hyperostosis: A Clinical Review up to Acrylic Cranioplasty Reconstruction in 3 Cases

“…Most cases show benign characteristics, with only one to nine percent being categorized as malignant or atypical. 1 Meningiomas are a common form of tumor that occurs within the central nervous system (CNS).…”

Special Issue: State-of-the-Art Anatomical Research in the Mediterranean Region 2022

“…The researchers participating in this Special Issue have fully achieved this goal. They have focused their research on the following key points [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]: (1) online teaching alternatives in human anatomy (technical note); (2) short practice in human body dissection (opinion); (3) the deltoid muscle and its clinical implications (communication); (4) a missing flexor digitorum brevis tendon and its relationship to sex and ancestry (article); (5) lobe X of the cerebellum (review); ( 6) meningioma (review); and (7) relationships between the cholinergic and the somatostatinergic systems in alpaca (article). In this Special Issue, Dr. García Barrios and co-workers from the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology (Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza) implemented a "breakout" activity, thanks to an online platform, that is similar to those used in people to increase motivation, teamwork, and interactivity.…”

“…The authors reviewed the main models of cerebellar degeneration, including lobe X, and discussed the causes for its resistance to neuronal death. Dr. Rothschild from the Carnegie Museum (Pittsburgh) reviewed the criteria to identify meningiomas from hemangiomas, bone marrow hyperplasia (porotic hyperostosis), and osteosarcomas [6]. Finally, the editors of the Special Issue demonstrated the relationships between the somatostatinergic (somatostatin-28 (1-12)) and cholinergic (choline acetyltransferase) systems in alpaca brainstems [7].…”