Functional Outcome After Spinal Meningioma Surgery. A Nationwide Population-Based Study

To describe and analysed the functional outcome (FO) after spinal meningioma (SM) surgery.

We processed the système national des données de santé (SNDS) i.e. , the French national administrative medical database to retrieve appropriate cases. We analysed the International Classification of Diseases 10 codes to assess the FO. Logistic models were implemented to search for variables associated with a favourable FO i.e. , a patient being independent at home without disabling symptom.

A total of 2,844 patients were identified of which 79.1% were female. Median age at surgery was 66 years, interquartile range (IQR) (56-75). Ninety-five point nine percent of the SMs were removed through a posterior ± lateral approach and 0.7% need an associated stabilisation. Benign meningioma represented 92.9% and malignant 2.1%. Median follow-up was 5.5 years, IQR (2.1-8), and at data collection 9% had died. The FO was good and increased along the follow-up: 84.3% of the patients were alive and had not associated symptoms at one year, 85.9% at 2 and 86.8% at 3 years. Nonetheless, 3 years after the surgery 9.8% of the alive patients still presented at least one disabling symptom of which 2.7% motor deficit, 3.3% bladder control problem, and 2.5% gait disturbance. One point seven percent were care-provider dependent and 2.1% chair or bedfast. In the multivariable logistic regression an older age at surgery (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.47, p < 0.001), a high level of comorbidities (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.66-0.75, p < 0.001), and an aggressive tumor (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.33-0.73; p < 0.001) were associated with a worse FO.

FO after meningioma surgery is favourable but, may be impaired for older patients with a high level of comorbidities and aggressive tumor.