Arthur Roland Elvidge (1899–1985): Contributions to the Diagnosis of Brain Tumors and Cerebrovascular Disease

Type of resource
Authors/collaborators
Title
Arthur Roland Elvidge (1899–1985): Contributions to the Diagnosis of Brain Tumors and Cerebrovascular Disease
Abstract
The author notes that the contributions of McGill University’s Arthur Elvidge (1899–1985), Wilder Penfield's first neurosurgical recruit at the Montreal Neurological Institute, to the development of neurosurgery have been relatively neglected, although his work in brain tumors extended the previous work of Percival Bailey and Harvey Cushing. He published rigorous correlations of clinical and histological information and formulated a revised, modern nosology for neuroepithelial tumors, including a modern histological definition of glioblastoma multiforme. Well ahead of his time, the author explains that Elvidge believed that glioblastoma was not strictly localized and was the first to comment that the tumor frequently showed “satellitosis.” Elvidge was the first neurosurgeon in North America to use angiography as a radiographic aid in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. Having studied with Egas Moniz, Elvidge was the first to detail the use of angiographic examinations specifically for demonstrating cerebrovascular disorders, believing that it would make possible routine surgery of the intracranial blood vessels. Seeking to visualize all phases of angiography, he was the impetus behind the design of one of the first semi-automatic film changers. Elvidge and Egas Moniz made the first observations on thrombosis of the carotid vessels independently of each other. Elvidge elucidated the significance of embolic stroke and commented on the ischemic sequelae of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Besides his contributions to neurosurgery, Elvidge co-discovered the mode of transmission of poliomyelitis. The author concludes that Elvidge's soft-spoken manner, his dry wit and candor, mastery of the understatement, love of exotic travel, and consummate dedication to neurosurgery made him a favorite of patients, neurosurgery residents, nurses, and other hospital staff. His accomplishments and example as teacher and physician have become part of neurosurgery's growing legacy.
Publication
Journal of Neurosurgery
Volume
Vol. 88
Issue
no. 1
Pages
162-171
Date
January 1998
Language
en
Citation
Preul, Mark C., William Feindel, T. Forcht Dagi, Joseph Stratford, and Gilles Bertrand. “Arthur Roland Elvidge (1899–1985): Contributions to the Diagnosis of Brain Tumors and Cerebrovascular Disease.” Journal of Neurosurgery Vol. 88, no. 1 (January 1998): 162–171.
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