Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery in elderly patients with pituitary adenomas

2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson A. Gondim ◽  
João Paulo Almeida ◽  
Lucas Alverne F. de Albuquerque ◽  
Erika Gomes ◽  
Michele Schops ◽  
...  

OBJECT With the increase in the average life expectancy, medical care of elderly patients with symptomatic pituitary adenoma (PA) will continue to grow. Little information exists in the literature about the surgical treatment of these patients. The aim of this study was to present the results of a single pituitary center in the surgical treatment of PAs in patients > 70 years of age. METHODS In this retrospective study, 55 consecutive elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) with nonfunctioning PAs underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery at the General Hospital of Fortaleza, Brazil, between May 2000 and December 2012. The clinical and radiological results in this group were compared with 2 groups of younger patients: < 60 years (n = 289) and 60–69 years old (n = 30). RESULTS Fifty-five patients ≥ 70 years of age (average age 72.5 years, range 70–84 years) underwent endoscopic surgery for treatment of PAs. The mean follow-up period was 50 months (range 12–144 months). The most common symptoms were visual impairment in 38 (69%) patients, headache in 16 (29%) patients, and complete ophthalmoplegia in 6 (10.9%). Elderly patients presented a higher incidence of ophthalmoplegia (p = 0.032) and a lower frequency of pituitary apoplexy before surgery (p < 0.05). Tumors with cavernous sinus invasion were treated surgically less frequently than in younger patients. Although patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 were more common in the elderly group (p < 0.05), no significant difference regarding surgical time, extent of resection, and hospitalization were observed. Elderly patients presented with more complications than patients < 60 years (32.7% vs 10%, p < 0.05). Complications observed in the elderly group included 5 CSF leaks (9%), 2 permanent diabetes insipidus cases (3.6%), 4 postoperative refractory hypertension cases (7.2%), 1 myocardial ischemia (1.8%), and 1 death (1.8%). Postoperative new anterior pituitary deficit was more common in the younger group (< 60 years old: 17.7%) than in the elderly (≥ 70 years old: 12.7%); however, there was no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for elderly patients with PAs may be associated with higher complication rates, especially secondary to early transitory complications, when compared with surgery performed in younger patients. Although the worst preoperative clinical status might be observed in this group, age alone is not associated with a worst final prognosis after endoscopic removal of nonfunctioning PAs.

Author(s):  
Hua Zhao ◽  
Jin Zhu ◽  
Yin-da Tang ◽  
Lin Shen ◽  
Shi-ting Li

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of microvascular decompression (MVD) for primary hemifacial spasm (HFS) in patients aged ≥70 years and to compare the outcome with a control cohort of younger patients(<70 years). Methods In this retrospective study, subjects were divided into two groups: an elderly group (patients who were ≥70 years) and a younger group. We compared demographic and clinical data, surgical outcome, MVD-related complications, and duration of operation and hospitalization after MVD between the two groups. Results At a mean follow-up of 32 ± 4.2 months, 188 elderly patients (90.4%) reported an effective outcome without need for any medication versus 379 (91.1%) of the younger cohort. There was no mortality in both cohorts. The prevalence of delayed facial palsy was 4.8% in the elderly group and 4.1% in the younger group. One (0.5%) patient in the elderly group and 3 (0.7%) patients in the younger group suffered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of MVD-related complications, such as delayed facial palsy, hearing impairment, CSF leakage, and hematoma. Conclusions MVD is an effective treatment option in elderly patients with HFS as well as in younger patients. Age itself seems to be no relevant contraindication or, alternatively, risk factor regarding MVD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. E13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthik Madhavan ◽  
Lee Onn Chieng ◽  
Hanyao Foong ◽  
Michael Y. Wang

OBJECTIVE Cervical spondylotic myelopathy usually presents in the 5th decade of life or later but can also present earlier in patients with congenital spinal stenosis. As life expectancy continues to increase in the United States, the preconceived reluctance toward operating on the elderly population based on older publications must be rethought. It is a known fact that outcomes in the elderly cannot be as robust as those in the younger population. There are no publications with detailed meta-analyses to determine an acceptable level of outcome in this population. In this review, the authors compare elderly patients older than 75 years to a nonelderly population, and they discuss some of the relevant strategies to minimize complications. METHODS In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, the authors performed a PubMed database search to identify English-language literature published between 1995 and 2015. Combinations of the following phrases that describe the age group (“elderly,” “non-elderly,” “old,” “age”) and the disease of interest as well as management (“surgical outcome,” “surgery,” “cervical spondylotic myelopathy,” “cervical degenerative myelopathy”) were constructed when searching for relevant articles. Two reviewers independently assessed the outcomes, and any disagreement was discussed with the first author until it was resolved. A random-effects model was applied to assess pooled data due to high heterogeneity between studies. The mean difference (MD) and odds ratio were calculated for continuous and dichromatic parameters, respectively. RESULTS Eighteen studies comprising elderly (n = 1169) and nonelderly (n = 1699) patients who received surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were included in this meta-analysis. Of these studies, 5 were prospective and 13 were retrospective. Intraoperatively, both groups required a similar amount of operation time (p = 0.35). The elderly group had lower Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores (MD −1.36, 95% CI −1.62 to −1.09; p < 0.00001) to begin with compared with the nonelderly group. The nonelderly group also had a higher postoperative JOA score (MD −1.11, 95% CI −1.44 to −0.79; p < 0.00001), therefore demonstrating a higher recovery rate from surgeries (MD −11.98, 95% CI −16.16 to −7.79; p < 0.00001). The length of stay (MD 4.14, 95% CI 3.54–4.73; p < 0.00001) was slightly longer in the elderly group. In terms of radiological outcomes, the elderly group had a smaller postoperative Cobb angle but a greater increase in spinal canal diameter compared with the nonelderly group. The complication rates were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Cervical myelopathy is a disease of the elderly, and age is an independent factor for recovery from surgery. Postoperative and long-term outcomes have been remarkable in terms of improvement in mobility and independence requiring reduced nursing care. There is definitely a higher potential risk while operating on the elderly population, but no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications was noted. Withholding surgery from the elderly population can lead to increased morbidity due to rapid progression of symptoms in addition to deconditioning from lack of mobility and independence. Reduction in operative time under anesthesia, lower blood loss, and perioperative fluid management have been shown to minimize the complication rate. The authors request that neurosurgeons weigh the potential benefit against the risks for every patient before withholding surgery from elderly patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Wilson ◽  
Sacit B. Omay ◽  
Ashutosh Kacker ◽  
Vijay K. Anand ◽  
Theodore H. Schwartz

OBJECTIVEPituitary adenomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that cause symptoms either through mass effect or hormone overproduction. The decision to operate on a healthy young person is relatively straightforward. In the elderly population, however, the risks of complications may increase, rendering the decision more complex. Few studies have documented the risks of surgery using the endonasal endoscopic approach in a large number of elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to audit a single center's data regarding outcomes of purely endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas in elderly patients and to compare them to the current literature.METHODSA retrospective review of a prospectively acquired database of all endonasal endoscopic surgeries done by the senior authors was queried for patients aged 60–69 years and for those aged 70 years or older. Demographic and radiographic preoperative data were reviewed. Outcomes with respect to extent of resection and complications were examined and compared with appropriate statistical tests.RESULTSA total of 135 patents were identified (81 aged 60–69 years and 54 aged 70 years or older [70+]). The average tumor diameter was slightly larger for the patients in the 70+ age group (mean [SD] 25.7 ± 9.2 mm) than for patients aged 60–69 years (23.1 ± 9.8 mm, p = 0.056). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss (p > 0.99), length of stay (p = 0.22), or duration of follow-up (p = 0.21) between the 2 groups. There was a 7.4% complication rate in patients aged 60–69 years (3 nasal and 3 medical complications) and an 18.5% complication rate in patients older than 70 years (4 cranial, 3 nasal, 1 visual, and 2 medical complications; p = 0.05 overall and 0.013 for cranial complications). Cranial complications in the 70+ age category included 2 postoperative hematomas, 1 pseudoaneurysm formation, and 1 case of symptomatic subdural hygromas.CONCLUSIONSEndonasal endoscopic surgery in elderly patients is safe, but there is a graded increase in complication rates with increasing age. The decision to operate on an asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patient in these age groups should take this increasing complication rate into account. The use of a lumbar drain or lumbar punctures should be weighed against the risk of subdural hematoma in patients with preexisting atrophy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongyuan Ren ◽  
Binni Cai ◽  
Songyun Wang ◽  
Peng Jia ◽  
Yang Chen ◽  
...  

Background: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has been shown to be a safe and effective means to achieve physiological pacing. However, elderly patients have increased risks from invasive procedures and the risk of LBBP in elderly patients is not known. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of LBBP in elderly patients &gt;80 years of age.Methods: From December 2017 to June 2019, 346 consecutive patients with symptomatic bradycardia, 184 patients under 80 years of age and 162 over 80 years, were included and underwent LBBP. The safety and prognosis of LBBP were comparatively evaluated by measured pacing parameters, periprocedural complications, and follow-up clinical events.Results: Compared with the younger, the elderly group had worse baseline cardiac and renal function. LBBP was achieved successfully in both groups with comparable fluoroscopic time and paced QRS duration (110.0 [102.0, 118.0] ms for the young vs. 110.0 [100.0, 120.0] ms for the elderly, P = 0.874). Through a follow-up of 20.0 ± 6.1 months, pacing parameters were stable while higher threshold and impedance were observed in the elderly group. In the evaluation of safety, overall procedure-related complication rates were comparable (4.4 vs. 3.8%, young vs. elderly). For prognosis, similar rates of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (7.1 vs. 11.9%, young vs. elderly) were observed.Conclusions: Compared to younger patients, LBBP could achieve physiological pacing in patients over 80 with comparable midterm safety and prognosis. Long-term safety and benefits of LBBP, however, necessitate further evaluation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (01) ◽  
pp. 028-032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Mastronardi ◽  
Franco Caputi ◽  
Alessandro Rinaldi ◽  
Guglielmo Cacciotti ◽  
Raffaelino Roperto ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The incidence of typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) increases with age, and neurologists and neurosurgeons frequently observe patients with this disorder at age 65 years or older. Microvascular decompression (MVD) of the trigeminal root entry zone in the posterior cranial fossa represents the etiological treatment of typical TN with the highest efficacy and durability of all treatments. This procedure is associated with possible risks (cerebellar hematoma, cranial nerve injury, stroke, and death) not seen with the alternative ablative procedures. Thus the safety of MVD in the elderly remains a topic of discussion. This study was conducted to determine whether MVD is a safe and effective treatment in older patients with TN compared with younger patients. Methods In this retrospective study, 28 patients older than 65 years (elderly cohort: mean age 70.9 ± 3.6 years) and 38 patients < 65 years (younger cohort: mean age 51.7 ± 6.3 years) underwent MVD via the keyhole retrosigmoid approach for type 1 TN (typical) or type 2a TN (typically chronic) from November 2011 to November 2017. A 75-year-old patient and three nonelderly patients with type 2b TN (atypical) were excluded. Elderly and younger cohorts were compared for outcome and complications. Results At a mean follow-up 26.0 ± 5.5 months, 25 patients of the elderly cohort (89.3%) reported a good outcome without the need for any medication for pain versus 34 (89.5%) of the younger cohort. Twenty-three elderly patients with type 1 TN were compared with 30 younger patients with type 1 TN, and no significant difference in outcomes was found (p > 0.05). Five elderly patients with type 2a TN were compared with eight younger patients with type 2a TN, and no significant difference in outcomes was noted (p > 0.05). There was one case of cerebrospinal fluid leak and one of a cerebellar hematoma, both in the younger cohort. Mortality was zero in both cohorts. Conclusions On the basis of our experience and the international literature, age itself does not seem to represent a major contraindication of MVD for TN.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12516-12516
Author(s):  
S. Manfrida ◽  
G. R. D’Agostino ◽  
C. Anile ◽  
G. Mantini ◽  
G. Colicchio ◽  
...  

12516 Background: We retrospectively evaluate the tolerance and the efficacy of a conventional schedule of radiotherapy in elderly patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods: Eighty-three consecutive patients affected by glioblastomas were treated between 2001 and 2006. We divided our series in two groups: patients under 65 years (n=52) and patients ≥ 65 years old (n=31). In the elderly group, median age was 68 years (range, 65–80). 17 patients (54,8%) were female, 14 male (45,2%); 20 patients (64,5%) <70 years, 11 patients (35,5%) ≥70 years. Among the younger patients, median age was 51 years (range 25–64), male/female ratio 32/20 (61.5%/38.5%).Twenty-seven out of 31 elderly patients (87,1%) were treated with conformal radiotherapy (CRT, 5940 cGy, 180 cGy/day; CTV2: tumor bed + residual tumor if present + oedema, 3960 cGy; CTV1: tumor bed + residual tumor if present + margins, 1980 cGy). Four out of 31 patients received an intensification dose of xxxx cGy by stereotactic conformal radiotherapy (SRT, 12,9%); among the younger patients, 25/52 were treated with CRT (48,1%) and 27/52 with SRT (51,9%). Concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered by temozolomide (TMZ).Toxicity was evaluated according to RTOG score. Survival analysis were performed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank testing was used for comparison of groups. Results: In the elderly group, neurological acute toxicity was observed in 6/31 patients (19,4%), with grade 3 in two patients. In the under 65 group, 5/52 patients (9,6%) had neurotoxicity (Grade 3 in two patients).This difference was not statistically different.At a median follow-up period of 28 months (range, 3–61), median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11 months in the ≥65 group and 10 months in the under 65 group; median overall survival (OS) was respectively 17 months and 22 months. 1- year survival was respectively 77.6% and 74.5%. Conclusions: In our analysis age did not seem to be a limiting factor in the choice of the therapeutic strategy for patients with glioblastoma multiforme. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yosuke Takakusagi ◽  
Kio Kano ◽  
Satoshi Shima ◽  
Keisuke Tsuchida ◽  
Nobutaka Mizoguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/AimThe standard of treatment for esophageal cancer with adjacent organ invasion (T4) has not been established. Radiotherapy (RT) is a treatment option, but its efficacy and safety in elderly patients remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of RT in elderly and younger patients with T4 esophageal cancer.Materials and MethodsSixty-nine patients with T4 esophageal cancer who underwent RT at the Kanagawa Cancer Center between January 2014 and November 2020 were included in this study. Patients aged ≥70 years were defined as the elderly group and those aged <70 years were defined as the younger group.The total dose of RT was set at 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Chemotherapy combined with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin was administered concurrently with RT. The overall survival (OS) rate was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Adverse events were assessed using the CTCAE v4.0. Clinical outcomes were compared between the elderly and younger groups.ResultsThe median survival time (MST) of the elderly group was 21.5 months, and the OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 63.7%, 31.3%, and 15.6%, respectively. The MST of the younger group was 12.5 months, and the OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 52.2%, 29.4%, and 29.4%, respectively. A significant difference in OS was not observed between the two groups (p = 0.767). Themultivariate analysis revealed thatthe complete response (CR) of the primary tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACTx) were significant predictors of OS (p< 0.001 and<0.001, respectively). Regarding toxicity, the frequency of thrombocytopenia was significantly higher in the elderly group, whereas the frequency of esophageal fistula was significantly higher in the younger group (p = 0.012 and 0.022, respectively). Other toxicities were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsOS was not significantly different between the elderly and younger groups. ACTx and CR were predictors of OS. The frequency of thrombocytopenia was higher in the elderly group and that of esophageal fistula was higher in the younger group. However, other toxicities were not significantly differentbetween the two groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 205873922110457
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Nakao ◽  
Yu Funakubo Asanuma ◽  
Takuma Tsuzuki Wada ◽  
Mayumi Matsuda ◽  
Hiroaki Yazawa ◽  
...  

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and drug survival rate of tocilizumab in the elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: This study was conducted in 108 RA patients who started tocilizumab between 2008 and 2018. The patients were divided into a young group (<65 years) and an elderly group (≥65 years). The efficacy, safety, and drug survival rate of tocilizumab were compared between the two groups. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the elderly ( n = 45) and the young group ( n = 63) in RA duration, percentage of biologic-naïve, and RA disease activity. Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) was higher, renal function was worse, and frequency of using methotrexate was lower in the elderly group. Tocilizumab demonstrated similar efficacy in the elderly and the young group with Clinical Disease Activity Index and HAQ-DI. Compared with baseline, the frequency of steroid use was lower at one year after initiation of tocilizumab in both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the drug survival rate of tocilizumab for three years. Discontinuation rates of TCZ due to toxic adverse events were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: The efficacy, steroid-sparing effect, and safety of tocilizumab therapy, as well as the drug survival rate for three years, were not inferior in elderly RA compared to young RA patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Bajcetic ◽  
Aleksandar Jankovic ◽  
Petar Djuric ◽  
Bojan Stopić ◽  
Radomir Naumovic ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims According to previous data, the prevalence of tunnelled cuffed vascular catheters (TCC) is more frequent in elderly as compared to younger HD patients. Still, it is not clear if elderly have decreased survival of TCC as compared with survival in younger. Method During the period from January 2010 to June 30, 2015, 110 permanent catheters were implanted in 64 patients (1.72 catheters per patient, 51.6% male mean age 67±12years, 20 diabetics). Out of all patients, 44 (68.7%) were older than 65 years, 12 (27.3%) were diabetic and 11 (25%) were previously treated with peritoneal dialysis. In the age-based subpopulations we compared the incidence of infections, thrombosis, chemical removal of thrombus by actilysis and TCC outcome. Results Reasons for TCC placement in elderly were inability of the second option and exhausted vascular approach and these reasons were found to be significantly more frequent compared to patients younger than 65 years (p = 0.020 ). Primary position of TCC was right jugular vein in both groups (39.1%, No = 25 vs 14.1% No = 9), more commonly in group of elderly patients, but there was no significant difference in the initial TCC position depending on the age structure of the patient (Hi square = 1.720, p = 0.886). The overall incidence of infections was 3.44 episodes per 1000 catheter days and patients' age did not affect TCC replacement, infection, thrombosis and inflammation. In the group of elderly, 27 patients had catheter infection (61.4%), 10 (22.7%) had catheter thrombosis and actilysis resolved thrombosis in 6 (13.6%) patients without significant difference as compared with younger patients. Catheter-induced bacteraemia were more common in TCC over 65 years (47 TCC vs. 12 TCC) but without statistical significance (p = 0.062). Similarly, exit site infection, was more common (14 TCC vs. 4 TCC) for those older than 65 years but also without statistical significance. Thrombosis of TCC occurred in 7 patients with TCC younger than 65 years and in 20 TCC in cohort of elderly (Hi square = 0.033, p = 0.535) (Table 1). Regarding treatment outcome, 19 (43.2%) elderly patients died while being treated with TCC, 12 patients (27.3%) changed treatment modality to peritoneal dialysis, 4 patients (9.1%) received arteriovenosus graft (AVG) and 9 patients had functional TCC at the end of follow up (20.5%) and no significant difference was found in the outcome compared to younger patients. Conclusion The reason for placement of TCC in elderly is the inability of other treatment options and exhaustion of vascular access. Concerning catheter related complication and outcome, there was no significant difference between the elderly and younger patient.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 29-29
Author(s):  
Nikolaj Baranov ◽  
Frans Van Workum ◽  
Jolijn Van Der Maas ◽  
Ewout Kouwenhoven ◽  
Marc Van Det ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Worldwide, the number of elderly patients suffering from esophageal cancer is increasing due to the increasing incidence of esophageal cancer and increasing life expectancy of the general population. The effect of age on morbidity, mortality and survival after Ivor Lewis totally minimally invasive esophagectomy (TMIE) with curative intention are not well known since elderly patients have been excluded in randomized trials. Methods A retrospective analysis of a prospectively documented database from December 2010 to June 2017 was performed, including all patients who underwent Ivor Lewis TMIE with curative intent for esophageal cancer in three Dutch hospitals. Patients younger than 75 years (younger group) were compared to patients aged 75 years or older (elderly group). Postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, 30 and 90 days mortality, long-term complications and survival were compared between these two groups. Results Four hundred and forty-six patients were included, 89 patients in the elderly group and 357 patients in the younger group. In the elderly group, a significantly higher incidence of non-surgical complications (77.5% versus 66.7%; P = 0.048), cardiovascular complications (24.7% versus 14.0%; P = 0.014) and delirium (27.0% versus 11.8%; P = 0.000) was found. There was no significant difference in surgical complications, overall complications, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, 1-year survival and 2-year survival. Conclusion Although Ivor Lewis TMIE in elderly patients is associated with a higher rate of non-surgical complications, it can be safely performed without increasing postoperative mortality. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


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