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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Minimally Invasive Thumb-sized Pterional Craniotomy for Surgical Clip Ligation of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms
Published on: August 11, 2015
[Surgery for intracranial meningiomas in patients older than 80 years]
Laurent Riffaud1, Alejandro Mazzon, Claire Haegelen
1Service de neurochirurgie, Hôpital Pontchaillou, Rennes (35). laurent.riffaud@chu-rennes.fr
Objective:
To evaluate surgery for intracranial meningiomas in very elderly patients.
Method:
We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiological and therapeutic data of patients older than 80 years who underwent surgery for symptomatic intracranial meningioma at our institution between May 1998 and February 2005. We estimated operative mortality and morbidity and patients' functional status at 3 months and one year after surgery as well as at their last clinical evaluation.
Results:
Eleven patients met these inclusion criteria: 5 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 83 years (range: 81-87 years). There was no perioperative mortality and one patient with perioperative morbidity (hemiplegia). Three months after surgery, the condition of 6 patients had improved, while it had not changed for 4 and had worsened for one. One year after surgery, 5 had improved, 5 were unchanged, and one patient had died. Of the 10 patients alive one year after surgery, 8 had Karnofsky scores> or =80 (self-sufficient). Three patients died more than one year after surgery of causes unrelated to their meningioma.
Conclusion:
Old age does not contraindicate surgery for intracranial meningiomas. Surgery should be proposed for patients older than 80 years with symptomatic intracranial meningioma.
Insights
Surgery for intracranial meningiomas is safe and effective in patients over 80. This study found no perioperative mortality and significant functional improvement in most elderly patients undergoing tumor removal.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Geriatrics
Context:
- Intracranial meningiomas are common primary brain tumors.
- Surgical management is the standard treatment.
- The safety and efficacy in very elderly patients remain a concern.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for intracranial meningiomas in patients aged 80 years and older.
Summary:
- A retrospective review of 11 patients (mean age 83) undergoing surgery for symptomatic intracranial meningioma.
- No perioperative mortality and low morbidity (1/11 hemiplegia) were observed.
- At 1 year, 50% of patients showed improvement, 50% were stable, and 10% had died from unrelated causes. 80% had Karnofsky scores >=80.
Impact:
- Surgical intervention for intracranial meningiomas is a viable option for patients over 80.
- Age alone should not be a contraindication for surgical treatment in this population.
- Improved functional status and quality of life can be achieved post-surgery.
