Developing an algorithm for cost-effective, clinically judicious management of peripheral nerve tumors.
Peripheral nerve tumors such as neurofibromas and schwannomas have become increasingly identified secondary to improved imaging modalities including magnetic resonance neurogram and ultrasound. Given that a majority of these peripheral nerve tumors are benign lesions, it becomes important to determine appropriate management of such asymptomatic masses. We propose a normal cost-effective management paradigm for asymptomatic peripheral nerve neurofibromas and schwannomas that has been paired with economic analyses. Specifically, our management paradigm identifies patients who would benefit from surgery for asymptomatic peripheral nerve tumors, while providing cost-effective recommendations regarding clinical exams and serial imaging for such patients.
School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Harjus
H
Birk
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Corinna C
CC
Zygourakis
Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Michel
M
Kliot
Cost-effectiveness; cost-utility outcomes; health-related quality of life; neurofibromas; peripheral nerve tumors; schwannomas