Differences between neurological and neurosurgical approaches in the management of malignant brain tumours.

TLDR

The study reviewed the management and outcomes of 205 cerebral glioma patients over a five‑year period. Patients referred to neurologists and neurosurgeons had similar clinical features and CT findings, but neurologists performed fewer burr‑hole biopsies and achieved lower short‑term morbidity, while final outcomes, long‑term survival, and radiotherapy referral patterns were comparable.

Abstract

The management and outcome in 205 patients diagnosed as having cerebral gliomas over five years were reviewed. Patients referred to neurologists and neurosurgeons had similar clinical features and similar results on computed tomography. Patients referred to neurologists underwent burr hole biopsy less often and had better short term morbidity than patients referred to neurosurgeons, although final outcome was the same in both groups. Few patients underwent other surgical procedures. Referral for radiotherapy was usually by neurosurgeons, although this did not significantly affect long term survival. The implications for the management of patients with primary malignant brain tumours and the need for prospective studies are discussed.