The History of Arachne Through Historic Descriptions of Meningiomas with Hyperostosis: From Prehistory to the Present.

BACKGROUND

Intracranial meningiomas are brain tumors that have probably been known the longest, largely because of the occasional production of grotesque cranial deformities that have attracted the attention and interest of humankind. Because of the tendency of some intracranial meningiomas to cause skull deformation and thickening, these tumors have given rise to various speculations and theories related to their origin, starting in prehistoric times up to the present.

METHODS

From the Steinheim skull and "pharaonic meningiomas" to the first meningioma monograph and the first explanations of Harvey Cushing regarding the mechanism of hyperostosis, this review aims to weave again the story of Arachne. We identify the main contributors who have tried to understand and explain the tendency of some of these tumors to cause hyperostosis or other skull bone involvements.

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of neurosurgeons or pathologists over the centuries is of undeniable importance and is the basis for understanding future molecular mechanisms.