In:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 162, No. 2 ( 2023-04), p. 307-315
Abstract:
To gain insight into how patients with primary brain tumors experience MRI, follow-up protocols, and gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) use. Methods Primary brain tumor patients answered a survey after their MRI exam. Questions were analyzed to determine trends in patients’ experience regarding the scan itself, follow-up frequency, and the use of GBCAs. Subgroup analysis was performed on sex, lesion grade, age, and the number of scans. Subgroup comparison was made using the Pearson chi-square test and the Mann–Whitney U-test for categorical and ordinal questions, respectively. Results Of the 100 patients, 93 had a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis, and seven were considered to have a slow-growing low-grade tumor after multidisciplinary assessment and follow-up. 61/100 patients were male, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 44 ± 14 years and 46 ± 13 years for the females. Fifty-nine patients had low-grade tumors. Patients consistently underestimated the number of their previous scans. 92% of primary brain tumor patients did not experience the MRI as bothering and 78% would not change the number of follow-up MRIs. 63% of the patients would prefer GBCA-free MRI scans if diagnostically equally accurate. Women found the MRI and receiving intravenous cannulas significantly more uncomfortable than men ( p = 0.003). Age, diagnosis, and the number of previous scans had no relevant impact on the patient experience. Conclusion Patients with primary brain tumors experienced current neuro-oncological MRI practice as positive. Especially women would, however, prefer GBCA-free imaging if diagnostically equally accurate. Patient knowledge of GBCAs was limited, indicating improvable patient information.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0167-594X
,
1573-7373
DOI:
10.1007/s11060-023-04290-x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
604875-4
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2007293-4
