Microsurgical Management of Pineal Region Tumours

Abstract

BackgroundPineal tumours are rare and the pineal region is a challenging surgical location for neurosurgeons. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of microsurgical management in patients with pineal region tumours and explore probable factors associated with preoperative hydrocephalus, postoperative hydrocephalus remission, and prolonged length of hospital stay (LoS). MethodsA retrospective study of patients with pineal region tumours, who underwent microsurgical management at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University(Jiangsu, China) between 1 January 2010 and 31 October, 2022, was conducted. ResultsData from 36 patients were included in this study. The top five common symptoms included headache (58%), dizziness (44%), double vision (22%), vomiting (19%), and nausea (14%). Patients with a lower Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), younger age, and larger maximum tumour diameters were more vulnerable to preoperative hydrocephalus. Preoperative hydrocephalus also led to a prolonged postoperative LoS (P=0.021). Patients with a lower KPS score (P=0.020) or larger maximum tumour diameters (P=0.045) were more likely to achieve postoperative remission of hydrocephalus. Most postoperative complications led to increased hospital LoS. ConclusionMicrosurgical resection of pineal tumours yielded favourable long-term outcomes. Patients with a lower KPS score, younger age, and larger maximum tumour diameters were more vulnerable to preoperative hydrocephalus and prolonged LoS. Patients with a lower KPS score or larger tumour diameter were likely to achieve significant remission of hydrocephalus after tumour resection.