Falcine Meningiomas: Percentage of Intracranial Meningiomas
Falcine meningiomas account for approximately 8.5-9% of all intracranial meningiomas 1, 2.
Epidemiologic Data
The available evidence provides consistent estimates for the prevalence of falcine meningiomas among all intracranial meningiomas:
Falcine meningiomas represent 9% of all intracranial meningiomas, as defined by tumors arising from the falx cerebri that do not involve the superior sagittal sinus 1.
A separate surgical series confirmed that falcine meningiomas accounted for 8.5% of intracranial meningiomas (68 out of 795 meningioma patients treated over a 14-year period) 2.
Anatomic Distribution Within the Falx
When falcine meningiomas do occur, their distribution along the falx cerebri follows a predictable pattern:
The middle third of the falx is most frequently involved (55-78% of falcine meningiomas) 1, 2.
The anterior third accounts for approximately 26-31% of falcine meningiomas 1, 2.
The posterior third represents 17-18% of falcine meningiomas 1, 2.
Clinical Context
Understanding this percentage is clinically relevant because falcine meningiomas have distinct surgical considerations compared to other intracranial locations:
These tumors require an ipsilateral interhemispheric approach with careful attention to preserving major cortical veins and the superior sagittal sinus 1.
Gross total resection rates of 83-87.5% are achievable with modern microsurgical techniques when the tumor does not involve the superior sagittal sinus 1, 2.
The transitional and meningothelial subtypes are the most common histologic variants in this location 1, 2.