Incidence of Prolonged Systemic Steroid Treatment after Surgery for Acoustic Neuroma and Its Implications

Conclusions Systemic corticosteroids are routinely administered postoperatively for patients undergoing craniotomy for the resection of acoustic neuromas. In a review of 220 patients operated by a single neurotologist, no patient or tumor factors were predictive of requiring prolonged initial steroid taper or additional courses of steroids. The cumulative number of days on systemic steroids was associated with undergoing additional procedures and steroid-related side effects. The most common indications for prolonged or additional steroids were aseptic meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and facial paresis. Additional steroids for postoperative facial paresis did not significantly improve outcomes. Patient-reported steroid-related complications were infrequent and were most commonly psychiatric including agitation, anxiety, and mood lability. [...] Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkArticle in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

Source: Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base - April 13, 2018 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Lin, Kenny F. Stewart, Claire R. Steig, Philip E. Brennan, Cameron W. Gutin, Philip H. Selesnick, Samuel H. Tags: Original Article Source Type: research