Patients Undergoing Meningioma Resection Research Articles

Intra-operative extracorporeal irradiation of tumour-invaded craniotomy bone flap in meningioma: a case series

BackgroundExtracorporeal irradiation of tumorous calvaria (EITC) can be performed to restore function and form of the skull after resection of bone-invasive meningioma. We sought to examine the rate of tumour recurrence and other selected outcomes in patients undergoing meningioma resection and EITC.MethodsRetrospective single-centre study of adult patients undergoing meningioma resection and EITC between January 2015 and November 2022 at a tertiary neurosurgical centre. Patient demographics, surgery data, tumour data, use of adjuvant therapy, surgical complications, and tumour recurrences were collected.ResultsEighteen patients with 11 (61%) CNS WHO grade 1, 6 (33%) grade 2, and 1 (6%) grade 3 meningiomas were included. Median follow-up was 42 months (range 3–88). Five (28%) patients had a recurrence, but none were associated with the bone flap. Two (11%) wound infections requiring explant surgery occurred. Six (33%) patients required a further operation. Two operations were for recurrences, one was for infection, one was a washout and wound exploration but no evidence of infection was found, one patient requested the removal of a small titanium implant, and one patient required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for a persistent CSF collection. There were no cases of bone flap resorption and cosmetic outcome was not routinely recorded.ConclusionEITC is feasible and fast to perform with good outcomes and cost-effectiveness compared to other reconstructive methods. We observed similar recurrence rates and lower infection rates requiring explant compared to the largest series of cranioplasty in meningioma. Cosmetic outcome is universally under-reported and should be reported in future studies.

The hospital frailty risk score independently predicts postoperative outcomes in meningioma patients

ObjectiveThe Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) is a recently developed tool that uses ICD-10 codes to measure patient frailty. However, the effectiveness of HFRS has not yet been assessed in meningioma patients specifically. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HFRS in predicting surgical outcomes for patients with meningiomas. MethodsThis retrospective study utilized data from patients undergoing meningioma resection at a single institution (2017–2019). Data were obtained through a combination of automated data retrieval and manual chart review. Bivariate logistic regression was used to assess the prognostic ability of several frailty indices for predicting postoperative outcomes. Further, discrimination for each model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Generalized linear models with gamma error distributions and a log-link function were used to model hospital length of stay (LOS), total charges, complications, and disposition. ResultsA total of 464 meningioma patients (mean age 58.20 years, 72.8 % female, 66.4 % white) were included. HFRS had a significantly greater AUROC when compared to ASA (p = 0.0074) for postoperative complications, and HFRS significantly outperformed ASA (p = 0.0021) and mFI-5 (p = 0.018) when predicting nonroutine discharge. On multivariate analysis, increasing HFRS scores were significantly and independently associated with greater LOS (p < 0.0001), higher hospital charges (p < 0.0001), higher odds of postoperative complications (OR = 1.05, p = 0.019), and nonroutine discharge (OR = 1.12, p < 0.0001). The HFRS was non-inferior compared to the mFI-5, CCI, ASA and mFI-11 in terms of model discrimination. ConclusionHFRS effectively predicts postoperative outcomes for meningiomas and outperforms other indices in predicting complications and nonroutine discharge. This novel index may be used to improve clinical decision-making and reduce adverse postoperative outcomes among meningioma patients.

Correlation between postoperative microstructural changes in cerebral white matter and early postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing meningioma resection

Objective: To analyze the correlation between microstructure changes in cerebral white matter before and after surgery and early postoperative cognitive function in patients undergoing meningioma resection. Methods: A total of 17 patients who underwent their first meningioma resection at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from April 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively included as observation group, with 5 males and 12 females, aged (56.4±7.3) years. Another 15 age- and education-matched patients with cerebral benign tumor were recruited as control group during the same period, with 5 males and 10 females, aged (55.2±8.0) years. Neuropsychological tests (NST), mainly including auditory verbal learning test of Huashan version (AVLT-H), the Montreal cognitive assessment-basic (MoCA-B), clock drawing task-30 (CDT-30), shape trails test-B (STT-B) and animal fluence test (AFT), were conducted at 1 day before surgery, 1 day and within 3-4 days after surgery in the observation group. Simultaneously, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed to collect diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) images at 1 day before surgery and within 3-4 days after surgery. The same NST were conducted at 1 day, 3 days and 6 days after admission in the control group to adjust for learning effects from repeated tests. The microstructure changes of the whole brain white matter were evaluated at the group level by using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) technology, including changes of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusion (MD), axial diffusion (AD), and radial diffusion (RD). Then, correlation was performed between DTI indicators with statistically significant and cognitive function. Results: After adjusting for the learning effects, the AVLT-H (R), MoCA-B, and CDT-30 scores decreased, and the evaluation time of STT-B prolonged after surgery in patients with meningioma. And their perioperative decreased values were -0.78 (95%CI:-3.28--0.28) points, -2.22 (95%CI:-4.22--0.72) points, -2.74 (95%CI:-5.29--0.19) points, and 61.49 (95%CI: 5.71-117.27) seconds, respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Group level analysis of TBSS based on DTI images showed decreased FA mainly in the right superior cerebellar peduncle, left posterior limb of internal capsule and genu of corpus callosum, and increased RD mainly in the left anterior corona radiata in patients undergoing meningioma resection, with statistically significant differences (all PFWE<0.05). Linear correlation showed that the perioperative decreased values of FA in genu of corpus callosum and right superior cerebellar peduncle were positively correlated with the perioperative decreased values of AVLT-H (L) after adjusting for learning effects (r=0.72, 0.52, all PFWE<0.05). Conclusions: Patients undergoing meningioma resection are at risk of postoperative cognitive decline. Perioperative decreased values of FA in genu of corpus callosum and right superior cerebellar peduncle based on DTI images are positively correlated with the perioperative decreased values of AVLT-H (L) after adjusting for learning effects.

Obesity and meningioma: a US population-based study paired with analysis of a multi-institutional cohort.

Whether obesity is associated with meningioma and the impact of obesity by gender has been debated. The primary objective of this study was to investigate differences in BMI between male and female patients undergoing craniotomy for meningioma and compare those with patients undergoing craniotomy for other intracranial tumors. The secondary objective was to compare meningioma location and progression-free survival (PFS) between obese and nonobese patients in a multi-institutional cohort. National data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Male and female patients were analyzed separately. Patients undergoing craniotomies for meningioma were compared with patients of the same sex undergoing craniotomies for other intracranial tumors. Institutional data from two academic centers were collected for all male and an equivalent number of female meningioma patients undergoing meningioma resection. Multivariate regression controlling for age was used to determine differences in meningioma location. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were computed to investigate differences in PFS. From NSQIP, 4163 male meningioma patients were compared with 24,266 controls, and 9372 female meningioma patients were compared with 21,538 controls. Male and female patients undergoing meningioma resection were more likely to be overweight or obese compared with patients undergoing craniotomy for other tumors, with the odds ratio increasing with increasing weight class (all p < 0.0001). In the multi-institutional cohort, meningiomas were more common along the skull base in male patients (p = 0.0123), but not in female patients (p = 0.1246). There was no difference in PFS between obese and nonobese male (p = 0.4104) or female (p = 0.5504) patients. Obesity was associated with increased risk of pulmonary embolism in both male and female patients undergoing meningioma resection (p = 0.0043). Male and female patients undergoing meningioma resection are more likely to be obese than patients undergoing craniotomy for other intracranial tumors. Obese males are more likely to have meningiomas in the skull base compared with other locations, but this association was not found in females. There was no significant difference in PFS among obese patients. The mechanism by which obesity increases meningioma incidence remains to be determined.

Postoperative Seizure Prophylaxis in Meningioma Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Seizures in the early postoperative period may impair patient recovery and increase the risk of complications. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is any advantage in postoperative seizure prophylaxis following meningioma resection. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PUBMED, Web of Science, Embase, Science Direct, and Cochrane were searched for papers until April 2023. Among nine studies, a total of 3249 patients were evaluated, of which 984 patients received antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). No significant difference was observed in the frequency of seizure events between patients who were treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and those who were not. (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.40; I2 = 57%). Postoperative seizures occurred in 5% (95% CI: 1% to 9%) within the early time period (<7 days), and 9% (95% CI: 1% to 17%) in the late time period (>7 days), with significant heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 91% and 97%, respectively). In seizure-naive patients, the rate of postoperative seizures was 2% (95% CI: 0% to 6%) in the early period and increased to 6% (95% CI: 0% to 15%) in the late period. High heterogeneity led to the use of random-effects models in all analyses. The current evidence does not provide sufficient support for the effectiveness of prophylactic AED medications in preventing postoperative seizures in patients undergoing meningioma resection. This underscores the importance of considering diagnostic criteria and conducting individual patient analysis to guide clinical decision-making in this context.

Predictive factors for post operative seizures following meningioma resection in patients without preoperative seizures: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumor and represent 35% of all intracranial neoplasms. However, in the early post-operative period approximate 3-5% of patients experience an acute symptomatic seizure. Establishing risk factors for postoperative seizures will identify those patients without preoperative seizures at greatest risk of postoperative seizures and may guide antiseizure medications (ASMs) management. Adult seizure naïve patients who underwent primary resection of a World Health Organization (WHO) Grade 1-3 meningioma at the three Mayo Clinic Campuses between 2012-2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariate regression analyses were used to identify radiological, surgical, and management features with the development of new-onset seizures in patients undergoing meningioma resection. Of 113 seizure naïve patients undergoing meningioma resection 11 (9.7%) experienced a new-onset post-operative seizure. Tumor volume ≥ 25 cm3 (Odds Ratio (OR) 5.223, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.546 - 17.650, p = 0.008) and cerebral convexity meningiomas (OR 4.742, 95% CI 1.255 - 14.336, p = 0.016) were most associated with new onset postoperative seizures in multivariate analysis. ASMs and corticosteroid therapies did not display a significant difference among those with and without a new onset postoperative seizure. In the current study, a larger tumor volume (≥ 25 cm3) and/or convexity meningiomas predicted the development of new onset post-operative seizures. Those who present with these factors should be counseled for their increased risk of new onset post-operative seizures and may benefit from prophylactic ASMs therapy.

Effect of differences in extubation timing on postoperative pneumonia following meningioma resection: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThis study was designed to examine extubation time and to determine its association with postoperative pneumonia (POP) after meningioma resection.MethodsWe studied extubation time for 598 patients undergoing meningioma resection from January 2016 to December 2020. Extubation time was analysed as a categorical variable and patients were grouped into extubation within 21 minutes, 21–35 minutes and ≥ 35 minutes. Our primary outcome represented the incidence of POP. The association between extubation time and POP was assessed using multivariable logistic regression mixed-effects models which adjusted for confounders previously reported. Propensity score matching (PSM) was also performed at a ratio of 1:1 to minimize potential bias.ResultsAmong 598 patients (mean age 56.1 ± 10.7 years, 75.8% female), the mean extubation time was 32.4 minutes. Extubation was performed within 21 minutes (32.4%), 21–35 minutes (31.2%) and ≥ 35 minutes (36.4%), respectively, after surgery. Older patients (mean age 57.8 years) were prone to delayed extubation (≥ 35 min) in the operating room, and more inclined to perioperative fluid infusion. When extubation time was analysed as a continuous variable, there was a U-shaped relation of extubation time with POP (P for nonlinearity = 0.044). After adjustment for confounders, extubation ≥35 minutes was associated with POP (odds ratio [OR], 2.73 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36 ~ 5.47). Additionally, the results after PSM were consistent with those before matching.ConclusionsDelayed extubation after meningioma resection is associated with increased pneumonia incidence. Therefore, extubation should be performed as early as safely possible in the operation room.

Preoperative meningioma embolization reduces perioperative blood loss: a multi-center retrospective matched case-control study

Background and Purpose The utility of preoperative embolization remains controversial within the literature. Here, we evaluate whether preoperative meningioma embolization is effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss, safe to perform, and cost-effective when compared with surgical resection without preoperative embolization. Methods Twenty-nine patients with meningiomas were matched by tumor size and location to 29 control patients with meningiomas at another institution where preoperative embolization was not practiced. The variables evaluated were pre- and post-operative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels as a measure of operative blood loss and postoperative morbidity. The additional cost of undergoing angiography and embolization was calculated from hospital charges obtained from the billing department. Results The mean decrease in perioperative hemoglobin and hematocrit was 0.9 and 2.7, respectively, in the embolization group and 2.8 and 10.0, respectively, in the control group for a significant decrease in operative blood loss as measured by change in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels after surgery. There was no significant difference in operative blood loss when subdividing patients based on tumor location. There were no angiogram-related complications. Twenty-two of 29 patients (76%) underwent embolization of a feeding artery, whereas 7 patients underwent only a diagnostic angiogram. The mean additional charge per patient in the embolization group was $88,767. Conclusions Preoperative embolization was safe and effective in reducing the overall perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing meningioma resection, as measured by the change in postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. However, the cost of embolization was significant.

Meningioma surgical outcomes and complications in patients aged 75 years and older

ObjectiveMeningioma incidence increases with age, yet limited data exist on how comorbidities impact complication rates in elderly patients undergoing meningioma resection. The objective of this study was to report surgical outcomes and identify risk factors for perioperative complications. MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of patients 75 years and older undergoing meningioma resection. Outcomes included survival and complications. Major complications were those requiring surgical intervention or causing permanent neurological deficit. Recursive partitioning, Kaplan-Meier survival, univariate and multi-variate (MVA) analyses were performed. ResultsFrom 1996 to 2014, 103 patients with a median age of 79 years (IQR 77–83 years) underwent cranial meningioma resection. Median follow-up was 5.8 years (IQR 1.7–8.7 years). Median actuarial survival was 10.5 years. Complications occurred in 32 patients (31.1%), and 13 patients (12.6%) had multiple complications. Major complications occurred in 16 patients (15.5%). Increasing age was not a significant predictor of any (p = 0.6408) or major complication (p = 0.8081). On univariate analysis, male sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index greater than 8, and cardiovascular comorbidities were significantly associated with major complications. On MVA only cardiovascular comorbidities (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.05–14.76, p = 0.0238) were significantly associated with any complication. All patients with major complications had cardiovascular comorbidities, and on MVA male gender (OR 3.78, 95%CI 1.20–11.93, p = 0.0212) was associated with major complications. ConclusionsCardiovascular comorbidities and male gender are significant risk factors for complications after meningioma resection in patients aged 75 years and older. While there is morbidity associated with meningioma resection in this cohort, there is also excellent long-term survival.

The epidemiology of patients undergoing meningioma resection in Auckland, New Zealand, 2002 to 2011

The incidence of meningioma is known to vary by gender and ethnicity. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of a 10-year cohort of patients undergoing meningioma resection at Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Of particular interest was whether there was any difference in meningioma incidence and recurrence rates between New Zealand Maori and Pacific Island patients compared with other ethnic groups. The study was a retrospective analysis of 493 patients with pathologically confirmed meningioma over the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2011. Based on this neurosurgical cohort, the minimum incidence of meningioma in the Auckland region was 3.39 per 100,000 population per year (95% C.I. 3.02–3.80) for the study period. Meningioma was significantly more common in women than men by a ratio of 4.2:1. New Zealand Maori and Pacific Island patients had a significantly higher incidence of meningioma than other ethnic groups. New Zealand Maori had a meningioma incidence 2.74 times that of Europeans (95% C.I. 2.01–3.73, p < 0.001). Pacific Island patients had 2.03 times higher incidence of meningioma than Europeans (95% C.I. 1.42 – 2.89, p < 0.001). The overall meningioma recurrence rate was 21.6% with a mean follow-up of 77 months. Recurrence rates for meningioma among Pacific Island patients were significantly higher than for other ethnic groups (hazard ratio 1.73, p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis of clinical variables confirmed the significance of traditional prognostic factors such as WHO tumour grade and Simpson grade of surgical excision in predicting meningioma recurrence.

Factors associated with intraoperative blood transfusion during meningioma surgery

Objective This study was designed to identify the risk factors associated with intraoperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing meningioma resection, and establish a risk prediction model. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed using clinical data from 585 patients undergoing meningioma surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2015 to December 2018. The univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors for intraoperative blood transfusion and build a risk prediction model. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was plotted to calculate the area under the curve (AUC). Results There were 136 patients (23.25%) receiving intraoperative blood transfusion. The risk factors associated with intraoperative blood transfusion were skull base tumor (X1), tumor diameter≥3.7 cm (X2) and important blood vessel involvement(X3)(P<0.05). The predictive probability model was P=1/1+e-Y, Y=-3.602+0.596X1+2.163X2+1.809X3, where the AUC was 0.843±0.018(P<0.05). Conclusions Skull base tumor, tumor diameter≥3.7 cm and important blood vessel involvement are the independent risk factors of intraoperative blood transfusion during meningioma resection. Key words: Meningioma; Blood transfusion; Risk factors

Demographics and outcome of histologically confirmed intracranial meningiomas

Objective: Meningiomas represent the most common intracranial extraaxial neoplasia in adults, accounting for a third of all diagnosed primary tumors of the brain. Despite decades of research, relatively little data on demographics of meningiomas exist. The aim of our study was to undertake an analysis of demographics and outcome of patients who underwent meningioma surgery over an 8-year time period at our institution. Methods: We reviewed 187 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed meningioma. Demographic data, tumor location and side, surgical resection grade, and histopathological and radiological data were collected and assessed for all patients. Furthermore, recurrence, morbidity, and mortality were evaluated. Results: Of the 187 consecutive patients undergoing meningioma resection over a period of 8 years, 131 (70.1%) were women ( p &lt; 0.001). Meningiomas were classified as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I, grade II, and grade III in 66.8%, 31.0%, and 2.1%, of the cases, respectively ( p &lt; 0.001). MIB-1 proliferation index was &lt;1 in 7.5%, 1–5 in 52.9%, 6–10 in 22.4%, &gt;10 in 11.8% of the lesions ( p &lt; 0.001). In 82.4% of the cases, gross total resection was achieved. Recurrence occurred in 23 patients (12.3%), while overall morbidity and mortality rate was 41.2% and 7.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on our results, women are more than twice as likely to be affected, and the peak age is between 60 years and 70 years. Recurrence rate in our cohort was relatively low when compared to the data in the literature. The diagnosis of WHO grade II meningiomas, 31% in our cohort, is increasing since the 2007 WHO criteria have been published.

A comprehensive study of risk factors for post-operative pneumonia following resection of meningioma

BackgroundPost-operative pneumonia (Pop) following meningioma surgery is the dominant systemic complication which could cause serious threats to patients. It is unclear whether hematological biochemical markers are independently associated with the Pop. This study attempted to perform a more comprehensive study of taking both clinical factors and hematological biomarkers into account to promote the management of patients after meningioma surgery.MethodsWe collected clinical and hematological parameters of 1156 patients undergoing meningioma resection from January 2009 to January 2013. According to whether the symptoms of pneumonia had manifested,patients were divided into the Pop group and the Non-Pop group. We analyzed the distinctions of clinical factors between the two groups. We successively performed univariate and multivariate regression analysis to identify risk factors independently associated with the Pop.Results4.4% patients infected with the Pop (51 of 1156). The median age at diagnosis of the Pop patients was significantly older than the Non-Pop group (p = 0.002). There were strike distinctions of post-operative hospital stays between two groups, with 21 days and 7 days each (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, tumor relapse (p < 0.001), skull base lesions (p = 0.001), intra-operative blood transfusion (p = 0.018) and cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.001) were linked with increased risk of the Pop following meningioma resection. For hematological biochemical markers, it was the factor of Red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation (RDW-SD) (OR 5.267, 95%CI 1.316, 21.078; p = 0.019) and Neutrophils lymphocytes ratio (NLR) (OR 2.081, 95%CI 1.063, 4.067; p = 0.033) that could appreciably predict the Pop.ConclusionsApart from tumor recurrence, localizations, intra-operative blood transfusion and cardiovascular diseases are independent risk factors for the Pop. We initially found hematological RDW-SD and NLR are also important predictors.

Impact of venous thromboembolism during admission for meningioma surgery on hospital charges and postoperative complications

Surgical resection of meningiomas has been associated with high rates of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) as compared with all other intracranial tumors. There is a paucity of data regarding the clinical complications and comorbidities associated with this cohort yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanism for this tumor-specific finding remains unclear. Our goal was to determine the various impacts of VTE on meningioma surgery in a large cohort of inpatient admissions. This retrospective analysis utilized discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2002 to 2010. Patient demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, hospital charges, and postoperative complications were compared between patients with and without VTE. Of 20,259 patients, 426 (2.1%) experienced a VTE. Compared to the non-VTE cohort, patients that experienced a VTE were older (62.7 ± 13.7 vs. 57.2 ± 14.7; p < 0.001), were more commonly male (38.0% vs 30.1%; p = 0.001), had longer hospitalizations (18.8 vs 6.6 days; p < 0.001), and incurred significantly greater hospital charges ($195,837 vs $74,434; p < 0.001). VTE patients experienced significantly higher rates of acute postoperative complications including shock, hemorrhage, wound dehiscence, infection, intracerebral hemorrhage, hemiparesis/hemiplegia, stroke, and death during admission. Odds ratio of aforementioned postsurgical complications remained significantly higher both before and after adjusting for age and sex (all p < 0.01). Occurrence of VTE in patients undergoing meningioma resection portends greater hospital charges, most likely attributed to longer lengths of admission. Increased postoperative complications and mortality in the VTE group warrants further investigation and wariness of the surgeon when treating surgical candidates of meningioma.

Relationship between tumor location, size, and WHO grade in meningioma.

OBJECTIVE Prior studies have investigated preoperative risk factors for meningioma; however, no association has been shown between meningioma tumor size and tumor grade. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between tumor size and grade in a large single-center study of patients undergoing meningioma resection. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing meningioma resection at the University of California, San Francisco, between 1985 and 2015 was performed. Patients with incomplete information, spinal meningiomas, multiple meningiomas, or WHO grade III meningiomas were excluded. The largest tumor dimension was used as a surrogate for tumor size. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between tumor grade and tumor size. A recursive partitioning analysis was performed to identify groups at higher risk for atypical (WHO grade II) meningioma. RESULTS Of the 1113 patients identified, 905 (81%) had a WHO grade I tumor and in 208 (19%) the tumors were WHO grade II. The median largest tumor dimension was 3.6 cm (range 0.2-13 cm). Tumors were distributed as follows: skull base (n = 573, 51%), convexity/falx/parasagittal (n = 431, 39%), and other (n = 109, 10%). On univariate regression, larger tumor size (p < 0.001), convexity/falx/parasagittal location (p < 0.001), and male sex (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of WHO grade II pathology. After controlling for interactions, multivariate regression found male sex (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.25-2.43), size 3-6 cm (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.08-2.66), size > 6 cm (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.53-5.94), and convexity/falx/parasagittal location (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.19-2.82) to be significantly associated with WHO grade II. Recursive partitioning analysis identified male patients with tumors > 3 cm as a high-risk group (32%) for WHO grade II meningioma. CONCLUSIONS Larger tumor size is associated with a greater likelihood of a meningioma being WHO grade II, independent of tumor location and male sex, which are known risk factors.

Risk of post-operative venous thromboembolism in patients with meningioma.

The surgical resection of meningiomas can be complicated by venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the post-operative period, but the exact incidence of this event is not known. Aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of VTE in patients operated for meningioma who underwent a post-operative clinical and objective screening for VTE. Patients undergoing meningioma resection between 2000 and 2010 who accepted to be investigated for VTE in the post-operative period were included in the study. The screening included daily clinical assessment, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy (Q-SCAN) on day 2 and venous compression ultrasonography (CUS) of the lower limbs within day 7. The univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of risk factors for VTE included sex, age, presence of comorbidities, pre- and post-operative Karnofsky Performance scale (KPS), post-operative neurological worsening and post-operative walking ability. Two-hundred and seventy-five patients were included in the study. VTE was diagnosed in 82 patients (29.8%). Univariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 65 years, cardiovascular comorbidities, pre- and post-operative KPS < 80/100, post-operative neurological worsening and impaired post-operative walking ability were significantly associated with VTE. Multivariate analysis confirmed only age ≥ 65years (p = 0.011) and post-operative KPS < 80/100 (p = 0.002) as independent risk factors for VTE. Patients operated for meningioma have a 30% risk of VTE. Age ≥ 65years and post-operative KPS < 80 were independent risk factors for VTE.

Perioperative microdialysis in meningioma surgery: correlation of cerebral metabolites with clinical outcome.

Brain tumour resection requires surgical manoeuvres that may cause an ischaemic injury to peritumoral tissue. The aim of the present study was to examine whether putative alterations in peritumoral tissue biochemistry, monitored by microdialysis, correlate with clinical outcome in patients undergoing craniotomy for meningioma resection. In 34 patients undergoing meningioma resection (35 % male; mean age ± SD: 54.3 ± 12.1 years), microdialysis measurements were taken perioperatively from peritumoral brain parenchyma. Standard metabolites (glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and the lactate:pyruvate ratio) were quantified in relation to clinical outcome assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the Karnofsky Performance Status scale. Higher postoperative glucose and pyruvate levels were found in patients with a favourable outcome (GCS not deteriorated or Karnofsky score > 80). Multiple logistic regression analysis (age, preoperative physical status, metabolite levels as independent variables) showed that lower postoperative glucose and pyruvate levels as well as higher lactate:pyruvate ratio values were independently associated with an unfavourable outcome as defined by Karnofsky score <80 [(OR: 0.084, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.98, p = 0.049), (OR: 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.95-0.99, p = 0.050), (OR: 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.42, p = 0.015) respectively], as well as with death [(OR: 0.08, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.97, p = 0.046), (OR: 0.94, 95 % CI: 0.89-0.99, p = 0.016), (OR: 1.07, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.15, p = 0.05) respectively]. Postoperative levels of glucose and pyruvate and the lactate:pyruvate ratio appear to correlate with clinical outcome in patients undergoing meningioma resection. The present findings provide support for the utility of microdialysis as a prognostic tool in brain tumour surgery.

Use of thrombin-based hemostatic matrix during meningioma resection: A potential risk factor for perioperative thromboembolic events

ObjectiveHemostatic agents are widely used in patients undergoing intracranial tumor resection to facilitate local hemostasis. We hypothesized that systemic activation of the clotting cascade after local application of hemostatic agents may result in unintended thromboembolic events, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). We performed a retrospective analysis to identify potential associations between hemostatic agent use and DVT/PE. MethodsA single-institution review of patients undergoing surgical resection of cranial meningiomas was performed. Patient demographics including gender and BMI, procedure duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), tumor pathology, use of hemostatic matrix, and the presence of DVT/PE within 14 days of surgery were collected from the medical record. ResultsA total of 467 patients underwent a craniotomy for meningioma from 2009 to 2012. There were 331 women and 136 men with a mean age of 58±14 years (range 18–92) and mean BMI of 28±6. Tumor pathology included 359 grade I, 77 grade II, and 31 grade III tumors. There were 12 patients (2.6%) with thromboembolic events. Age (p=0.66), gender (p=0.33), EBL (p=0.99), and procedure duration (p=0.17) were not associated with an increased incidence of DVT/PE. Use of DVT prophylaxis initiated 72h after surgery did not significantly alter the incidence of DVT/PE (p=0.20). Body mass index (p=0.04) and tumor grade (p=0.05) were associated with increased incidence of DVT/PE. Patients receiving greater than 10ml of a hemostatic agent intraoperatively had an increased incidence of DVT/PE (p=0.02). In a multivariate model, both BMI (OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.00–1.15, p=0.048) and use of more than 10ml of hemostatic agent (OR=8.03, CI: 1.02–63.40, p=0.048) were found to be significantly associated with the risk of DVT/PE. ConclusionHemostatic agents are valuable tools in modern neurosurgery, however their use may be associated with an increased risk of DVT/PE in patients undergoing meningioma resection. This finding provides the impetus for more definitive clinical and laboratory studies to characterize the biology of this association and helps identify patients at increased risk for thromboembolism. This study also affirms the association between high BMI and the risk of thromboembolism. Interestingly the use of prophylactic anticoagulation after surgery did not decrease the incidence of DVT/PE.

Meningioma surgery in the elderly: a case-control study assessing morbidity and mortality.

To assess the morbidity and mortality of meningioma surgery in patients over age 65 and compare our results with matched controls and with the present literature on meningioma surgery in the elderly. An evaluation of 114 patients undergoing meningioma resection divided into two groups: 57 patients aged 65-87, and a control group of 57 patients aged 25-64 matched by ASA status and tumor site. Operative complications, 30-day mortality, and pre- and postoperative neurologic status were assessed with follow up one to three months. Complication rates in the two groups were similar and were low. Four out of fifty-seven elderly patients (7.0%) had a surgical complication compared with five younger patients (8.8%) Excluding asymptomatic DVT detected by screening, three elderly patients had medical complications (5.2%) compared with two controls (3.5%). The vast majority of patients-93% of the elderly group and 89.4% in the controls--experienced either improvement or no change in neurologic status at followup one to three months after surgery. There was one death among elderly patients within thirty days for a mortality rate of 1.8% compared with no mortality in the case control group. The elderly patient who died was an 80-year old man who died of pneumonia in a rehabilitation hospital three weeks after surgery. Our study group of 57 patients was compared by tumor site and preoperative general health status to other series in the literature. In a review from the literature of 417 patients over age 65 who underwent meningioma surgery, the average 30-day mortality was 16%. The complication rate averaged 39%. Our lower morbidity and mortality rates after meningioma surgery in the elderly may be a result of patient selection, surgical technique, or excellent pre- and post-operative care by the resident staff, anesthesiologists, and nurses. It suggests, however, that elderly patients can have meningioma surgery safely.