Safety of commercial airflight in patients with brain tumors: a case series

Journal of Neuro-oncology
Michelle PhillipsGarni Barkhoudarian

Abstract

Patients with intracranial masses are often advised to avoid airflight due to concerns of worsening neurological symptoms or deterioration. However, many patients often travel cross-country or internationally to tertiary care centers for definitive care. This study assesses the safety of commercial airflight for brain and skull base tumor patients without severe or progressive neurological deficits. Patients that had traveled to our institution for surgery via commercial airflight from 2014 to 2017 were identified. An electronic survey was administered (RedCap) and flight duration, aircraft type, presenting symptoms and new or worsened peri-flight symptoms were queried. Severity was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS). Significant change of symptoms was determined to be greater than 25%. Demographics and clinical history were obtained from electronic medical records. Providence Health System IRB: 16-168. Of 665 patients operated on for brain tumor, 63 (9.5%) traveled by airflight to our center for surgery and of these, 41 (65%) completed the study (mean age 48.5 ± 16.8 years, 63% female). Pathology included pituitary and other parasellar tumors (58%), meningiomas (22%), metastatic tumors (5%), gliomas (5%), pineal tumor ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 11, 2019·Journal of Global Oncology·Sharon HengZarnie Lwin

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