Treatment option and pitfalls for skull base meningiomas

Advances in skull base surgical techniques and radiosurgery have led to significant improvements in the treatment of skull base meningioma. However, as the natural history and the biological behavior of skull base meningiomas are not well known, the selection of and timing for postoperative additional treatment are still controversial. Herein we discuss our experiences in the treatment of skull base meningiomas, the natural history together with a literature review, and the invasion-related factors, especially matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), for use as a new biological marker for skull base meningiomas.