HOUT-18. SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL AIRFLIGHT IN PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMORS – A CASE SERIES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Patients with intracranial masses are often advised to avoid airflight due to concerns of worsening neurological symptoms. However, many patients often travel to tertiary care neuro-oncology centers and some travel internationally. This study assesses the safety of commercial airflight for brain tumor patients without severe or progressive neurological deficits.

METHODS

Patients that had traveled to our institution for surgical evaluation via commercial airflight from 2014-2017 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 obtained from electronic medical records. Providence Health System IRB: 16-168.

RESULTS

40 patients were enrolled and completed the study. Patients had an average age of 47.7years and were 65% female. Pathology included parasellar tumors (60%), Meningiomas (20%), Metastatic tumors (5%), Gliomas (5%), Pineal tumor (5%), cerebello-pontine tumor (5%). Average flight duration: 6.5 h (range 1-17h). Average tumor volume 11.1cc and average maximal dimension 2.5cm. Nine (22.5%) patients developed worsened symptoms during airflight. These include headaches 3/19 (15.8%), fatigue 3/14 (21.4%), dizziness 3/5 (60%) and ear pain 3/3 (100%). Six patients (66.7%) had sustained worsened symptoms after airflight. Only one patient had symptoms that worsened to a severe level (transiently during flight – VAS 9/10). There were no permanent neurological deficits related to airflight. There was no correlation with tumor size, flight duration, and peri-flight corticosteroid usage. No patient with completely asymptomatic tumors developed new symptoms during flight.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with brain tumors traveling via commercial airflight can do so with acceptable symptom exacerbation. No permanent neurological deficits were noted due to air travel.