Comprehensive Nationwide Analysis of Malignant Pediatric Brain Tumors treated in Neurosurgical Departments in Germany, 2023
Donjetë Januzi (Augsburg), Pascal Johann (Augsburg), Michael C. Frühwald (Augsburg), Dorothee Mielke (Augsburg), Marcel Kamp (Berlin), Peter Baumgarten (Augsburg)
Pediatric CNS tumors demonstrate diverse clinical challenges resulting in varying rates in mortality and morbidity. Our study aims to evaluate in-hospital mortality and morbidity associated with these conditions in neurosurgical departments across Germany in 2023.
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on pediatrics CNS tumor cases treated in German neurosurgical departments in 2023. Our study focused on patients below 18 years diagnosed with malignant CNS tumors (ICD-10-GM code C71). Data included demographics, primary and secondary diagnoses, as well as neurosurgical procedures. Mortality was defined as in-hospital fatality (discharge status: deceased).
In 2023, 5,585 pediatric cases of malignant CNS tumors were reported in German neurosurgical departments, with 42.7% of patients being female. The highest incidence (28.4%, 1,586/5,585) occurred in children aged 6 to 9 years. A total of 39 patients died, corresponding to an overall mortality rate of 0.7%. Among the cases, 1,981 involved cerebellar tumors. A statistically significant male predominance was observed for cerebellar tumors (62.8% vs. 37.2%, p<.0001, Chi-square test). Notably, 33.3% of cerebellar tumors were diagnosed in children 10 to 15 years of age.
The most frequently performed neurosurgical procedures included excision and destruction of primary brain tumor tissue (5-015.0; 312/1,063 of encoded procedures), biopsies (open and stereotactic combined; 1-510 and 1-511; 90/1,063), and reoperations (5-983; 111/1,063). Advanced techniques were used in varying proportions: microsurgery in 77.9% (5-984), intraoperative navigation systems in 58.9% (5-988.0, 5-988.2, and 5-988.3), fluorescence guidance in 6% (5-989), and intraoperative neuro-monitoring (IONM) in 36.5% (8-925).
The mortality rate for primary tumor resections was 1.92% (6/312). No fatalities were reported for biopsies or reoperations.
This ongoing study offers valuable insights into the epidemiology and in-hospital outcomes of pediatric CNS tumors in Germany. A predominant incidence in males, particularly cerebellar tumors, was noted. The most frequently performed surgical procedures were tumor resections, biopsies, and reoperations. Mortality rates for tumor resections were up to 1.92%. However, advanced intraoperative techniques, such as microsurgical methods, intraoperative navigation systems, IONM, and fluorescence-guided surgeries, were less commonly encoded in the pediatric population compared to adults.
Auf unserem Internetauftritt verwenden wir Cookies. Bei Cookies handelt es sich um kleine (Text-)Dateien, die auf Ihrem Endgerät (z.B. Smartphone, Notebook, Tablet, PC) angelegt und gespeichert werden. Einige dieser Cookies sind technisch notwendig um die Webseite zu betreiben, andere Cookies dienen dazu die Funktionalität der Webseite zu erweitern oder zu Marketingzwecken. Abgesehen von den technisch notwendigen Cookies, steht es Ihnen frei Cookies beim Besuch unserer Webseite zuzulassen oder nicht.