World Neurosurg
-
Low-grade glioma (LGG) comprises nearly 20% of all central nervous system glial tumors, with approximately 2000-3000 patients diagnosed annually in the United States. Because of their infiltrative ability and aggressive nature, the average 10-year survival is 30% when <90% of the tumor is resected. Since the 1970s, prognosis for LGGs has improved significantly. ⋯ The recommendation for observation is made without full prospective understanding of the impact of radiologic tumor progression on the quality of life (QOL), neurocognitive function (NCF), seizure control, and functional status of these patients. We present a review of the current knowledge of the management of LGG with emphasis upon patient-reported outcomes of QOL, NCF, and seizure control. We also discuss current clinical trials with proposals to evaluate QOL, NCF, and seizure control in patients undergoing observation alone after newly diagnosed low-risk LGG or treatment options for those patients in the high-risk group.
-
Obesity is a growing public health problem. A considerable number of patients undergoing cervical spine surgery are obese, but the correlation between obesity and surgical outcome is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on patients' and surgeons' perception of spine surgery outcomes. ⋯ Obese patients had worse postoperative patient-reported outcome scores and less overall patient-rated improvement compared with nonobese patients. Patients with BMI >25 reported less improvement after surgery both in the patients' and in the surgeons' perspectives.