Surgical Outcome in Thalamic Gliomas: A Mono-Institutional Experience from Northern India

Abstract Thalamic neoplasms contribute to approximately 1 to 5% of all brain tumors. These are more commonly found in the pediatric age group. The different aspects of thalamic gliomas (TG) have occasionally been reported. This article aims to assess the clinico-radiological profile, management, and postoperative follow-up; to compare differences between the adult and pediatric populations and between biopsy and resection groups; and to explore poor prognostic factors. This retrospective analysis included 41 patients with TG over 5 years. Various study parameters were taken into consideration. Appropriate statistical tests were applied (p < 0.05—significant). Our study included 10 patients in the pediatric age group and 31 adult patients. Out of these, 25(61%) were males and 16(31%) were females. Most patients (70.7%) presented with Karnofsky performance status <80. The most common symptom was headache (80.5%), followed by motor deficits. Only one tumor had bilateral involvement. Only 10 patients had tumors confined to the thalamus, while others had extensions to adjacent structures. Contrast enhancement was seen in most, with less than half showing cystic degeneration. Thirteen patients (31.7) had glioblastoma. More than half (22 patients) died due to TG, which included only two pediatric patients. The mean overall survival was 24.5 ± 4.3 months, and the median was 8 ± 3.1 months. We found a higher occurrence of TG in adults and a male predilection in the pediatric group. Our study forms one of the largest studies on TG reported in contemporary times. The comparative analysis between pediatric and adult TG presented here is a valuable contribution to the literature.