Arvid Lindau

Swedish pathologist and bacteriologist

Portrait of Swedish Professor Arvid Lindau

Arvid Vilhelm Lindau (23 July 1892 – 7 September 1958) was a prominent Swedish pathologist and bacteriologist known for his pioneering work in the field of neuropathology. He is best remembered for his detailed study of hemangioblastomas and the subsequent identification of von Hippel–Lindau disease, a rare genetic disorder.

Early Life and Education

Arvid Lindau was born in Malmö, Sweden, in 1892. He pursued his medical education at the Lund University, where he developed a keen interest in pathology and bacteriology. Lindau's academic excellence earned him a medical degree in 1920, after which he continued his studies in pathology.

Career

Lindau began his career as an assistant at the Lund University's Institute of Pathology. His work focused on the study of tumors, particularly those affecting the central nervous system. In 1926, he published a seminal paper on hemangioblastomas, which are highly vascular tumors of the central nervous system.

Research on Hemangioblastomas

Lindau's research on hemangioblastomas was groundbreaking. He meticulously described the histological characteristics of these tumors and their association with cerebellar and retinal lesions. His work laid the foundation for understanding the genetic basis of these tumors, which later became known as von Hippel–Lindau disease.

Von Hippel–Lindau Disease

Von Hippel–Lindau disease is a rare, autosomal dominant genetic condition characterized by the formation of tumors and cysts in different parts of the body. Lindau's research was instrumental in linking the disease to specific genetic mutations, which has since led to significant advancements in genetic testing and management of the condition.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Lindau continued to contribute to the field of pathology through teaching and research. He was a respected professor at Lund University, where he inspired many students to pursue careers in medical research. Lindau passed away in 1958, but his legacy lives on through the continued study and treatment of von Hippel–Lindau disease.

Related Pages

• Neuropathology
• Hemangioblastoma
• Von Hippel–Lindau disease
• Lund University