Glioma grade and post-neurosurgical meningitis risk.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post-neurosurgical meningitis (PNM) constitutes a grave complication associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the risk factors predisposing patients to PNM following surgery for low- and high-grade gliomas. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis encompassing all patients who underwent glioma surgery involving craniotomy at Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland, between 2011 and 2018. Inclusion criteria for PNM were defined as follows (1) Positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture, (2) CSF leukocyte count ≥ 250 × 106/L with granulocyte percentage ≥ 50%, or (3) CSF lactate concentration ≥ 4 mmol/L, detected after glioma surgery. Glioma grades 3-4 were classified as high-grade (n = 261), while grades 1-2 were designated as low-grade (n = 84). RESULTS: Among the 345 patients included in this study, PNM developed in 7% (n = 25) of cases. The median time interval between glioma surgery and diagnosis of PNM was 12 days. Positive CSF cultures were observed in 7 (28%) PNM cases, with identified pathogens encompassing Staphylococcus epidermidis (3), Staphylococcus aureus (2), Enterobacter cloacae (1), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1). The PNM group exhibited a higher incidence of reoperations (52% vs. 18%, p < 0.001) and revision surgery (40% vs. 6%, p < 0.001) in comparison to patients without PNM. Multivariable analysis revealed that reoperation (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.04-6.67) and revision surgery (OR 7.08, 95% CI 2.55-19.70) were significantly associated with PNM, while glioma grade (high-grade vs. low-grade glioma, OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.30-2.22) showed no significant association. CONCLUSIONS: The PNM rate following glioma surgery was 7%. Patients requiring reoperation and revision surgery were at elevated risk for PNM. Glioma grade did not exhibit a direct link with PNM; however, the presence of low-grade gliomas may indirectly heighten the PNM risk through an increased likelihood of future reoperations. These findings underscore the importance of meticulous post-operative care and infection prevention measures in glioma surgeries.