Management of skull based meningiomas in the elderly patient.
BACKGROUND
The demographic evolution of Western society together with availability of modern imaging techniques leads to an increasing diagnosis of meningioma patients over 70 years of age. This raises the question of appropriate management of this histologically benign tumour in a geriatric population.


METHODS
Forty-three patients aged over 70 years were analyzed and matched in a retrospective study with a younger group of 89 patients according to tumour size, histology, symptoms, recurrence and presence of neurofibromatosis II.


RESULTS
Changes in postoperative Karnofsky scores were not statistically different between the two age groups. Neurological outcome was worse among the younger group (12% vs. 7% deterioration). Regarding surgical complications we noted only a statistically significant higher infection rate in the geriatric age group. There was no peri-operative mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Age alone is not a criterion to deny a priori skull base surgery, since well selected geriatric patients may benefit from a meningioma operation that may enhance future quality of life.
Roser
F
F
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. f.roser@gmx.de
Ebner
F H
FH
Ritz
R
R
Samii
M
M
Tatagiba
M S
MS
Nakamura
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*