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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Minimally Invasive Thumb-sized Pterional Craniotomy for Surgical Clip Ligation of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms
Published on: August 11, 2015
Optimizing Surgical Outcomes for Intracranial Epidermoid Tumors: A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Predictors,
Mychael W Delgardo1, Damian E Teasley1, Anthony J Tang1
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Background/Objective:
Intracranial epidermoid tumors (ETs) are rare, benign lesions that present significant challenges in neurosurgical management due to their propensity to encase vital neurovascular structures. We aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical, demographic, and tumor-specific factors on surgical decisions (gross total resection [GTR] vs. subtotal resection [STR]) and outcomes and identify patient clusters with distinct profiles and outcomes post-resection.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients with ET treated from 1998 to 2022, employing multivariable logistic regression for GTR versus STR predictors and Kaplan-Meier curves for progression-free survival (PFS). K-prototype clustering classified patients based on clinical data.
Results:
The mean age of our cohort was 39.8 ± 20.1 years. About 13.9% of patients had a recurrence, with a median PFS of 108 months (interquartile range: 57 -206). Seizures significantly predicted GTR (P < 0.05), whereas adherence to critical structures reduced GTR likelihood (P < 0.05). Initial surgeries more often achieved GTR, correlating with longer PFS (P < 0.0001) and reduced recurrence (P < 0.01) versus re-operations. Cluster analysis identified three distinct groups, with the initial GTR cluster showing superior PFS and the lowest recurrence (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Statistically significant predictors of PFS included age and preoperative seizure presence, with older age favoring longer PFS (P < 0.01) and seizures associated with reduced PFS (P < 0.01). In addition, patients with previous surgeries showed a trend toward shorter PFS (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
This study emphasizes the importance of tailored surgical strategies in managing intracranial ETs, advocating for GTR to optimize long-term outcomes where possible. Future prospective studies are essential to further refine treatment approaches, enhancing survival for ET patients.
