title: Analysis of the influence of the variable size on the characteristics and behavior of meningiomas.
abstract: Seventy-two patients submitted to meningioma surgery at Pedro Hispano Hospital from 1997 to 2001 were reviewed to analyze the association between size (largest diameter of the lesion obtained from imaging examinations) and other variables regarding the biological behavior and clinical outcome of these patients. Statistically significant associations were found between tumor size and location, type of first symptom, type of physical examination, histological grade, surgical complications, postoperative CSF bursae and the need for blood transfusion. Patient's age, gender, duration of first symptom, clinical status at discharge and persistent complaints were not associated to tumor size. There was a trend towards a statistically significant association between tumor size and both grade of resection and persistent deficits. The causes and implications of the findings are discussed. Tumor size is a parameter that may interfere with the neurosurgeon's capacity to treat these patients as well as with their recovery.
authors.affiliation: Pedro Hispano Hospital, Matosinhos, Portugal.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mascarenhas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Honavar
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Romão
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocha Vaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008579:Meningioma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome