Venous thromboembolism occurs infrequently in meningioma patients receiving combined modality prophylaxis

David E. Gerber, Jodi B. Segal, Amandeep Salhotra, Alessandro Olivi, Stuart A. Grossman, Michael B. Streiff

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Individuals with brain tumors have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Within this population, patients with meningiomas have been reported to have the highest incidence, exceeding rates associated with gliomas and brain metastases. However, earlier studies did not employ VTE prophylaxis, and VTE were detected with radionuclide scans, the reliability of which has since been questioned. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective review of postoperative meningioma patients receiving contemporary VTE prophylaxis and diagnostic methods to define the current incidence of and risk factors for symptomatic VTE in this population. METHODS. Medical records were reviewed from all patients undergoing craniotomy for meningioma at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2004 and 2005. The association between clinical characteristics and VTE was assessed using parametric and nonparametric statistical tests and survival analysis. RESULTS. A total of 224 individuals met criteria for the review. The mean age was 52 years (standard deviation [SD] 14 years), and 167 patients (75%) were women. Median follow-up time was 230 days (interquartile range [IQR], 89-428 days). VTE was diagnosed in 11 patients (4.9%; 95% confidence interval, 2.5%-8.6%) at a median of 16 days (IQR, 7-33 days) postoperatively. The development of VTE was associated with older age (mean, 68 years vs 52 years; P = .0001), male gender (P = .007), and nonambulatory status postoperatively (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS. VTE occurs infrequently in postoperative meningioma patients who receive combined modality VTE prophylaxis. VTE risk factors in these patients include advanced age, male gender, and nonambulatory status post-operatively.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)300-305
Number of pages6
JournalCancer
Volume109
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2007

Keywords

  • Anticoagulation
  • Brain tumor
  • Deep venous thrombosis
  • Heparin
  • Meningioma
  • Prophylaxis
  • Pulmonary embolus
  • Vena cava filter
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Warfarin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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