Aims: Determine if early CT evaluation is justified in patients operated on for benign brain tumors.
Background: Researchers have recently questioned the common practice of referring all patients after cranial surgery for CT scans to rule out silent complications.
Methods: The cohort included 257 consecutive patients who underwent surgical removal of a benign brain tumor in the years 2011-2016. The neuroradiology scans performed before and after surgery were reviewed. The postoperative findings considered significant were hemorrhage in ≥50% of the tumor bed, ischemic changes, worsening brain edema, and mass effect. The relationship of the CT findings with the neurological outcome and their effect on the clinical management were evaluated.
Results: No significant complications were found by CT in 247 patients (96%). In the remaining 10 patients (4%), CT showed increased brain edema in 5 and hemorrhage in 5. The clinical management was influenced by the CT findings in 6/10 patients. One had a temporary neurological deficit. None died or required a second operation.
Conclusions: Elective patients operated on uneventfully for benign brain tumors rarely benefit from routine CT after surgery. In most cases, CT follow-up can be replaced by careful neurological monitoring. Exceptions to this rule may be based on clinical judgment and local resources.