Perifocal edema is a risk factor for preoperative seizures in patients with meningioma WHO grade 2 and 3

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2024 Apr 6;166(1):170. doi: 10.1007/s00701-024-06057-3.

Abstract

Background: Patients with intracranial meningiomas frequently suffer from tumor-related seizures prior to resection, impacting patients' quality of life. We aimed to elaborate on incidence and predictors for seizures in a patient cohort with meningiomas WHO grade 2 and 3.

Methods: We retrospectively searched for patients with meningioma WHO grade 2 and 3 according to the 2021 WHO classification undergoing tumor resection. Clinical, histopathological and imaging findings were collected and correlated with preoperative seizure development. Tumor and edema volumes were quantified.

Results: Ninety-five patients with a mean age of 59.5 ± 16.0 years were included. Most tumors (86/95, 90.5%) were classified as atypical meningioma WHO grade 2. Nine of 95 tumors (9.5%) corresponded to anaplastic meningiomas WHO grade 3, including six patients harboring TERT promoter mutations. Meningiomas were most frequently located at the convexity in 38/95 patients (40.0%). Twenty-eight of 95 patients (29.5%) experienced preoperative seizures. Peritumoral edema was detected in 62/95 patients (65.3%) with a median volume of 9 cm3 (IR: 0-54 cm3). Presence of peritumoral edema but not age, tumor localization, TERT promoter mutation, brain invasion or WHO grading was associated with incidence of preoperative seizures, as confirmed in multivariate analysis (OR: 6.61, 95% CI: 1.18, 58.12, p = *0.049). Postoperative freedom of seizures was achieved in 91/95 patients (95.8%).

Conclusions: Preoperative seizures were frequently encountered in about every third patient with meningioma WHO grade 2 or 3. Patients presenting with peritumoral edema on preoperative imaging are at particular risk for developing tumor-related seizures. Tumor resection was highly effective in achieving seizure freedom.

Keywords: Anaplastic; Atypical; Edema; Epilepsy; Meningioma; Seizure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Edema* / etiology
  • Brain Edema* / surgery
  • Edema
  • Humans
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / complications
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Meningioma* / complications
  • Meningioma* / pathology
  • Meningioma* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Seizures / epidemiology
  • Seizures / etiology
  • World Health Organization