Surgical treatment of intracranial meningiomas in geriatric patients

Abstract

We studied retrospectively a series of 36 patients who underwent the surgical removal of an intracranial meningioma between April, 1982 and April, 1997. Their ages ranged from 65 to 78 years (mean age: 70.2 years); 27 patients were female, and 9 were male. Thirteen (36.1%) were located at the convexity, 6(16.7%) at the falx/parasagittal area, and 16(44.4%) at the skull base, tentorium, and posterior fossa. Operative mortality was 11.1%, but the rate was increased to 16.7% at 3 months follow-up. It was significantly higher than the younger age group (p < 0.05). Postoperative complications were manifested in 17 of 36 patients (47.2%). The postoperative morbidity rate was significantly higher in patients with class III of ASA physical status (American Society of Anesthesiology classification). Twenty-three (63.9%) patients had good postoperative outcome (Karnofsky rating scale of 80 or more). Various prognostic factors were evaluated, the most important of which were preoperative general health condition and neurological status. Age per se is not a contraindication to the surgery of intracranial meningiomas in the elderly patient.