Growth pattern and rate in residual nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: correlations among tumor volume doubling time, patient age, and MIB-1 index

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichiro Tanaka ◽  
Kazuhiro Hongo ◽  
Tsuyoshi Tada ◽  
Keiichi Sakai ◽  
Yukinari Kakizawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Mib 1

Object. Surgical cure can be achieved in pituitary adenomas when they are completely removed. It is controversial whether postoperative radiation therapy should be given to prevent recurrence, and whether an early reoperation should be performed for residual adenomas, because we have little information about the natural history of postoperative residual adenomas. Methods. The residual tumor volume was serially measured in 40 nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and the tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) was calculated. Correlations between the patients' age, tumor volume, log TVDT, and MIB-1 index were examined. Other factors including the patient's sex, cavernous sinus (CS) invasion by the tumor, or presence of an intratumoral cyst were analyzed to assess their influence on the TVDT. Values are expressed as the means ± standard deviations. Thirty-eight adenomas increased in volume and two decreased during a follow-up period ranging from 4 to 141 months (mean 52.5 months). Exponentially linear tumor growth was observed in the 38 growing adenomas regardless of the residual tumor volume, with the TVDT ranging from 506 to 5378 days (mean 1836 days). The patients' age was 57.1 ± 15.7 years (range 15–79 years), the tumor volume at the beginning of the magnetic resonance imaging observation period was 2.5 ± 2.2 cm3 (range 0.07–14.5 cm3), and the MIB-1 index was 0.73 ± 0.68% (range 0.1–2.9%). There was a correlation between the log TVDT and patient age (R = 0.73), an inverse correlation between the log TVDT and MIB-1 index (r = −0.49), and an inverse correlation between the MIB-1 index and patient age (r = −0.61). A significant difference (p = 0.0001) was noted between the TVDT (1106 days) in the 19 patients younger than 61 years of age and the TVDT (2566 days) in the 19 patients who were 61 years of age or older. There was also a significant difference (p = 0.0002) between the age (50.8 ± 15.3 years) of the patients with rapidly growing tumors (TVDT < 1836 days, 24 patients) and the age (69.1 ± 7.6 years) of the patients with slowly growing tumors (TVDT > 1836 days, 14 patients). Other factors including the patients' sex, CS invasion, and intratumoral cyst formation did not affect the TVDT of residual NFPAs. Conclusions. The tumor growth rate of residual NFPAs is strongly influenced by the patient's age. The TVDT in elderly patients is much longer than that previously reported. Treatment strategies that take into consideration the natural history of residual adenomas should be established especially in the elderly population.

Surgical management of brain-stem tumors in children: results and statistical analysis of 75 cases

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Pierre-Kahn ◽  
Jean-François Hirsch ◽  
Mathieu Vinchon ◽  
Christine Payan ◽  
Christian Sainte-Rose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Stem ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Brain Stem Tumors ◽  
Subtotal Removal ◽  
Fine Print

A study was made of 75 children treated between 1970 and 1990, with partial, subtotal, or total removal of three intrinsic and 72 exophytic or surface brain-stem tumors. In all cases, the goal of surgery was to remove as much tumor as possible. Extent of removal was defined according to data obtained from postoperative computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and was considered partial when only a small amount of tumor was removed, subtotal when a few cubic millimeters of tumor was left, and total when no residual tumor was seen on postoperative radiological investigations. An ultrasonic aspirator was used for the 43 most recent operations. Among tumor removals without the aspirator, 24 (75%) were partial, eight (25%) subtotal, and none total; with the use of the aspirator, the number of partial removals decreased to 44.5% while that of subtotal and total removals increased to 32% and 23.5%, respectively. There were 69 gliomas (92%) and 47 benign tumors (62.6%). Forty-nine patients were irradiated postoperatively, and 14 of the 23 patients whose benign tumors were removed totally or subtotally did not undergo irradiation. This study showed that: 1) the overall prognosis of patients with malignant tumors was poor and was not improved by surgery; 2) the survival rate of those with benign tumors was significantly (p < 0.01) lower after partial removal than after total or subtotal removal (52% and 94%, respectively, at 5 years); 3) comparison of means and proportions (Student's and chi-squared tests) between benign and malignant tumors showed a significant difference relating to patient age (p < 0.03), peritumoral hypodensity (p < 0.001), and preoperative duration of symptoms (p < 0.001); 4) stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed that two of these three variables were related to malignancy: namely, patient age at surgery (p < 0.03) and presence of peritumoral hypodensity (p < 0.001); and 5) routine postoperative irradiation was contraindicated after total or subtotal removal of benign tumors.

Functional outcome after repair of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Chyatte ◽  
Rebecca Porterfield
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Aneurysm Size ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Repair of unruptured aneurysms is a reasonable course of action if their expected natural history is worse than the predicted risks of treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the presenting symptoms of unruptured aneurysms and to test the hypothesis that unruptured intracranial aneurysms can be repaired without significant functional worsening. A second hypothesis was also examined—that is, that the experience of the surgeon, the aneurysm size, and the patient age can be used to predict functional outcome. Methods. Consecutive patients who underwent repair of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm at a single institution between 1980 and 1998 were studied. Clinical and radiographic data were collected in all patients. Their modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was determined before treatment (baseline), at 6 weeks, and at 6 months. The primary endpoint for analysis was the mRS score. Four hundred forty-nine aneurysms were repaired in 366 patients by 10 surgeons. The mean size of the primary lesion repaired was 14.6 + 10.4 mm and 27% were judged to be symptomatic. Aneurysm treatment involved either microsurgical clipping (78%), wrapping (4%), trapping with or without bypass (5%), hunterian ligation with or without bypass (9%), or other methods (4%). The mRS scores at 6 weeks were worse than at baseline (p < 0.0001), but there was no significant difference between the baseline and 6-month mRS score. At 6 months, 94% of patients showed no significant functional worsening as a result of treatment. The number of aneurysms treated by a specific surgeon was a strong predictor of better functional outcome (r = 0.99, p = 0.05). Increasing patient age (r = 0.16, p = 0.003) and increasing aneurysm size (r = 0.15, p = 0.004) were predictors of worsened functional outcome. Conclusions. Many unruptured aneurysms produce symptoms. Unruptured intracranial aneurysms can be treated without significant permanent functional worsening. The surgeon's experience, aneurysm size, and patient age are predictors of functional outcome.

Association of proliferative activity and size in acoustic neuroma: implications for timing of surgery

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 807-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anan Bedavanija ◽  
Jürgen Brieger ◽  
Hans-Anton Lehr ◽  
Jan Maurer ◽  
Wolf J. Mann
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Neuroma ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tumor Size ◽  
Proliferative Activity ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Acoustic neuroma is the most frequent benign tumor of the cerebellopontine angle, and surgery is still the most common form of treatment. To gain better insight into the dysregulated mechanisms causing growth of acoustic neuroma, the authors studied the proliferative activity of 34 consecutive samples by analyzing immunohistochemical staining with Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and apoptosis based on the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase—mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling. Data from these analyses were correlated with clinical parameters (that is, tumor size, duration of symptoms, and patient age). Methods. Apoptotic cells were found in none of the tumors. Proliferation measured on staining with Ki-67 and PCNA correlated with tumor size, but not with patient age or duration of symptoms. The authors demonstrated that tumors 18 mm or smaller in diameter have lower proliferation indices and growth rates, compared with tumors larger than 18 mm with high proliferative indices and growth rates. Additionally, they observed that these more aggressive, larger tumors occur mostly in patients younger than 50 years of age. Conclusions. Patients with tumors larger than 18 mm in diameter and who are younger than 50 years of age sustain an enhanced risk for fast-growing tumors because of these lesions' enhanced proliferative activity. For these patients the authors recommend active therapy.

Analysis of loss of heterozygosity for chromosome 10 in patients with malignant astrocytic tumors: correlation with patient age and survival

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Tada ◽  
Shoji Shiraishi ◽  
Takanori Kamiryo ◽  
Hideo Nakamura ◽  
Hirofumi Hirano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factor ◽  
Loss Of Heterozygosity ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Astrocytic Tumors ◽  
Chromosome 10 ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unfavorable Prognostic Factor ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The most frequent genetic abnormality in human malignant gliomas is loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 10. Candidate genes on chromosome 10 that are associated with the prognosis of patients with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and glioblastoma (GBM) were evaluated. Methods. The authors used 12 fluorescent microsatellite markers on both arms of chromosome 10 to study LOH in 108 primary astrocytic tumors. The LOH on chromosome 10 was observed in 11 (32%) of 34 AAs and 34 (56%) of 61 GBMs. No LOH was detected in 13 low-grade gliomas. Loss of heterozygosity was not detected in any AA in the seven patients younger than 35 years, but it was discovered in 41% of the patients older than 35 years. The prognostic significance of LOH at each locus was evaluated in 89 patients older than 15 years; 33 (37%) had supratentorial AAs and 56 (63%) had supratentorial GBMs. The Cox proportional hazards model, adjusted for patient age at surgery, the preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score, and the extent of surgical resection revealed that LOH on marker D10S209 near the FGFR2 and DMBT1 genes was significantly associated with shorter survival in patients with AA. The LOH on markers D10S215 and D10S541, which contain the PTEN/MMAC1 gene between them, was significantly associated with shorter survival in patients with GBM. Conclusions. In the present study it is found that LOH on chromosome 10 is an age-dependent event for patients with AAs and that LOH on marker D10S209 near the FGFR2 and DMBT1 loci is a significantly unfavorable prognostic factor. It is also reported that LOH on the PTEN/MMAC1 gene is a significantly unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with GBM.

Residual nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: prognostic value of MIB-1 labeling index for tumor progression

2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Widhalm ◽  
Stefan Wolfsberger ◽  
Matthias Preusser ◽  
Ingeborg Fischer ◽  
Adelheid Woehrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Progression ◽  
Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Labeling Index ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Tumor Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mib 1

Object In residual nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, reliable prognostic parameters indicating probability of tumor progression are needed. The Ki 67 expression/MIB-1 labeling index (LI) is considered to be a promising candidate factor. The aim in the present study was to analyze the clinical usefulness of MIB-1 LI for prognosis of tumor progression. Methods The authors studied a cohort of 92 patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Based on sequential postoperative MR images, patients were classified as tumor free (51 patients) or as harboring residual tumor (41 individuals). The residual tumor group was further subdivided in groups with stable residual tumors (14 patients) or progressive residual tumors (27 patients). The MIB-1 LI was assessed in tumor specimens obtained in all patients, and statistical comparisons of MIB-1 LI of the various subgroups were performed. Results . The authors found no significant difference of MIB-1 LI in the residual tumor group compared with the tumor-free group. However, MIB-1 LI was significantly higher in the progressive residual tumor group, compared with the stable residual tumor group. Additionally, the time period to second surgery was significantly shorter in residual adenomas showing an MIB-1 LI > 3%. Conclusions The data indicate that MIB-1 LI in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas is a clinically useful prognostic parameter indicating probability of progression of postoperative tumor remnants. The MIB-1 LI may be helpful in decisions of postoperative disease management (for example, frequency of radiographic intervals, planning for reoperation, radiotherapy, and/or radiosurgery).

Sizes of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms in relation to their sites and the ages of patients

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryce Weir ◽  
Lew Disney ◽  
Theodore Karrison
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Artery ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Ruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Risk Of Rupture ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors explore the risk of rupture in aneurysms categorized by size. Methods. A computerized database of 945 patients with aneurysms treated between 1967 and 1987 was retrospectively established. All available clinical and radiological studies were abstracted. Because of the recent interest in the size of intracranial aneurysms in relation to their likelihood of rupture, the database was searched with respect to this parameter. In 390 patients representing 41% of all cases, aneurysms were measured by neuroradiologists at the time of diagnosis. In 78% of the 945 patients there was only one aneurysm, and of the 507 aneurysms that were measured, 60% were solitary. Of all patients, 86% had ruptured aneurysms. The average age of all patients was 47 years, and for those with ruptured aneurysms it was 46 years. Of the ruptured aneurysms, 77% were 10 mm or smaller, compared with 85% of the unruptured aneurysms. It was found that 40.3% of the ruptured aneurysms were on the anterior cerebral artery or anterior communicating artery, compared with 13% of the unruptured aneurysms. None of the cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms were ruptured and 65% of the ophthalmic artery (OphA) aneurysms were. Of the unruptured aneurysms, 15% were located in the cavernous ICA or the OphA. Of the ruptured aneurysms, 29% were on the middle cerebral artery, compared with 36% of the unruptured aneurysms. The mean size of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms showed no statistically significant increase with patient age, although the difference in size between the ruptured and unruptured aneurysms decreased with increasing age. The mean size of all ruptured aneurysms (10.8 mm) was significantly larger than the mean size of all unruptured aneurysms (7.8 mm, p < 0.001); the median sizes were 10 mm and 5 mm, respectively. The size of ruptured aneurysms in patients who died in the hospital was significantly larger than those in the patients who survived (12 mm compared with 9.9 mm, p = 0.004). Symptomatic unruptured aneurysms were significantly larger than incidental unruptured aneurysms (14.6 mm compared with 6.9 mm, p = 0.032), which were, in turn, larger than aneurysms that were unruptured and part of a multiple aneurysm constellation. Both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms were larger in male than in female patients, but not significantly. Conclusions. Site and patient age, as well as lesion size, may affect the chance of rupture.

Predictors of neuropsychological outcome in patients following microelectrode-guided pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alois A. Obwegeser ◽  
Ryan J. Uitti ◽  
John A. Lucas ◽  
Robert J. Witte ◽  
Margaret F. Turk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Neuropsychological Performance ◽  
Neuropsychological Outcome ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Neuropsychological Changes ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors studied neuropsychological performance following microelectrode-guided posteroventral pallidotomy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and evaluated correlations with presurgical and surgical factors.Methods. Neuropsychological changes 3 months (43 patients) and 12 months (27 patients) after microelectrode-guided pallidotomy for PD are reported in a series of 44 consecutive patients with the disease, who improved neurologically, as measured by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in both the “off” (p < 0.001) and best “on” (p < 0.001) states.Findings of the vocabulary subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised (p < 0.01), Letter Fluency (p < 0.001), Verbal Fluency for semantic categories (p < 0.001), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (p < 0.01) showed a significant decline in neuropsychological performance in patients 3 months after undergoing left-sided pallidotomy. Impairment in the language domain (semantic fluency) persisted at the 12-month follow-up examination (p < 0.01). Visual memory improved after right-sided pallidotomies (p < 0.01 after 3 months), with a nonsignificant trend toward persistent improvement 1 year postsurgery (p < 0.02 after 12 months). Preoperative semantic fluency was influenced by patient age (p < 0.001) and by the width of the third ventricle (p < 0.05), as measured by magnetic resonance imaging.A regression model revealed that semantic fluency 3 months postoperatively was significantly affected by the baseline score (p < 0.001), side of surgery (p < 0.001), handedness (p < 0.01), and patient age (p < 0.05). However, postoperative lesion volume, lesion location, number of tracks, number of lesions, distance from anatomical landmarks, or UPDRS score did not significantly contribute to neuropsychological outcome.Conclusions. Neuropsychological changes in a cohort of patients with PD who underwent pallidotomy and experienced excellent clinical benefits and minimum postoperative complications, emphasize the importance of neuropsychological examinations and further investigation of predictive factors.

Low-grade gliomas in children: tumor volume response to radiation

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 969-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Fisher ◽  
Glenn S. Bauman ◽  
Christopher E. Leighton ◽  
Larry Stitt ◽  
J. Gregory Cairncross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Tumor Shrinkage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Grade Gliomas ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors conducted a retrospective review to examine and document the frequency, degree, and timing of the radiologically confirmed response to radiotherapy of low-grade gliomas in children. Methods. Between 1963 and 1995, 80 patients 17 years of age or younger were referred to the London Regional Cancer Centre in London, Ontario after diagnosis of a low-grade glioma. All patients underwent surgical resection or biopsy procedures and 47 underwent radiotherapy (40 postoperatively and seven at the time of tumor progression). Nineteen patients with residual measurable lesions who received radiation therapy were selected for volumetric analysis of tumor response to this treatment. The extent and timing of response to radiation were determined by the process of comparing postoperative, preirradiation computerized tomography (CT) scans with postirradiation, follow-up CT scans. For one patient the comparison was made by using serial magnetic resonance images. Residual tumor was found on postoperative CT scans in all cases. The mean preradiotherapy tumor volume was 17.1 cm3, and the postradiotherapy volume was reduced to a mean of 11.5 cm3. A reduction in tumor volume was demonstrated in eight patients by the time of their first postirradiation follow-up CT scan and in two patients a slower reduction in volume over time was shown, bringing the total number of “responders” to 10. In five of these 10 patients the tumor had shown a maximum response by the time of the first postirradiation CT scan; the median time to response was 3.3 months. A 25% or greater reduction in tumor volume was seen in eight (42%) of the 19 patients. A 50% or greater reduction was noted in five (26%) of the patients. A complete response was demonstrated at 7, 12, and 15 months, and 5 years, respectively, in four patients (21%). One responder's tumor eventually increased in size after radiotherapy and he died of his disease. The magnitude of the radiographically demonstrated response to radiation did not correlate significantly with clinical outcome (that is, survival or symptom improvement). Conclusions. On the basis of this CT scan analysis of the response of low-grade gliomas in children to radiotherapy, the authors suggest that these lesions respond to radiation, as demonstrated by tumor shrinkage on serial imaging. Major or complete responses occur occasionally. However, low-grade gliomas in children mimic other benign brain tumors such as pituitary adenomas and meningiomas in that, although growth is frequently arrested after radiotherapy, residual tumor can persist for many years, illustrating that tumor shrinkage may not be a good measure of treatment efficacy. Nevertheless, radiation therapy can result in improvement of clinical symptomatology in association with or independent of visible tumor reduction. As radiation treatment techniques become increasingly conformal and because studies indicate that lower doses of radiation may be equally effective, improvement of symptoms may be an important consideration when weighing treatment options, particularly in patients with residual or unresectable disease.

Chordomas of the craniocervical junction: follow-up review and prognostic factors

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (6) ◽  
pp. 933-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedicto O. Colli ◽  
Ossama Al-Mefty
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Proton Beam ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Proton Beam Therapy ◽  
Craniocervical Junction ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Chordomas are rare tumors that arise from the remnants of the notochord. Because of their deep location, local infiltrative nature, and involvement of surrounding bone, treatment of chordomas is a challenge. In this study the authors analyze the data and prognostic factors obtained during the follow-up period (range 1–150 months, median 38 months) in 53 patients with craniocervical junction chordomas and 10 patients with chondrosarcomas. Methods. Several surgical approaches were used, and some tumor excisions required staged procedures. Survival was calculated according the Kaplan—Meier method. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact, log rank and Kruskal—Wallis tests. Radical/subtotal resection was achieved in 77.8% of the patients. The mortality rate during the follow-up period was 14.3%. In patients harboring chondrosarcoma better 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were demonstrated than in those with chordoma (100% and 50.7%, respectively). Histological patterns (typical or chondroid chordomas) and patient age at onset of symptoms had no effect on the RFS rates. Radical/subtotal resections were associated with better RFS rates than partial resection. Adjuvant proton-beam therapy was shown to increase the RFS rates compared with conventional radiotherapy (90.9% and 19.4%, respectively, at 4 years posttreatment). Karyotypically abnormal tumors were associated with the worst RFS rates compared with karyotypically normal lesions (44.5% and 90.3%, respectively, at 3 years). Cases of cranial nerve palsy followed by those with cerebrospinal fluid leakages were the most frequent postoperative complications. Permanent postoperative neurological deficit was observed in 28.6% of the patients. Conclusions. A better prognosis was observed in patients with chondrosarcoma compared with those harboring chordoma. Histological pattern and patient age at symptom onset were not factors that influenced prognosis in cases of chordoma. Extensive resection and possibly adjuvant proton-beam therapy provided better prognoses for these patients.

Predicting recovery in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury by using admission variables and physiological data: a comparison between decision tree analysis and logistic regression

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. D. Andrews ◽  
Derek H. Sleeman ◽  
Patrick F. X. Statham ◽  
Andrew McQuatt ◽  
Vincent Corruble ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
Pupillary Response ◽  
Decision Tree Analysis ◽  
Patient Age ◽  
Tree Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patient Âgé ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Decision tree analysis highlights patient subgroups and critical values in variables assessed. Importantly, the results are visually informative and often present clear clinical interpretation about risk factors faced by patients in these subgroups. The aim of this prospective study was to compare results of logistic regression with those of decision tree analysis of an observational, head-injury data set, including a wide range of secondary insults and 12-month outcomes. Methods. One hundred twenty-four adult head-injured patients were studied during their stay in an intensive care unit by using a computerized data collection system. Verified values falling outside threshold limits were analyzed according to insult grade and duration with the aid of logistic regression. A decision tree was automatically produced from root node to target classes (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score). Among 69 patients, in whom eight insult categories could be assessed, outcome at 12 months was analyzed using logistic regression to determine the relative influence of patient age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, Injury Severity Score (ISS), pupillary response on admission, and insult duration. The most significant predictors of mortality in this patient set were duration of hypotensive, pyrexic, and hypoxemic insults. When good and poor outcomes were compared, hypotensive insults and pupillary response on admission were significant. Using decision tree analysis, the authors found that hypotension and low cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) are the best predictors of death, with a 9.2% improvement in predictive accuracy (PA) over that obtained by simply predicting the largest outcome category as the outcome for each patient. Hypotension was a significant predictor of poor outcome (GOS Score 1–3). Low CPP, patient age, hypocarbia, and pupillary response were also good predictors of outcome (good/poor), with a 5.1% improvement in PA. In certain subgroups of patients pyrexia was a predictor of good outcome. Conclusions. Decision tree analysis confirmed some of the results of logistic regression and challenged others. This investigation shows that there is knowledge to be gained from analyzing observational data with the aid of decision tree analysis.

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