ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Image-defined risk factor (IDRF) is a common tool used for neuroblastoma risk group classification. We speculated that anatomical evaluation by IDRF might be correlated with surgical complications and the oncologic outcome. Here, we investigated correlation between IDRF with outcomes of surgery of neuroblastoma patients. METHODS: Medical records and computed tomography images of neuroblastoma patients who underwent a surgery at Songklanagarind Hospital between 2002 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. IDRFs were analyzed for correlation with surgical complications, overall survival, progression-free survival and local recurrence within 2 years. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Sixteen (35%) patients had low IDRF score at diagnosis (score ≤ 5). Other 29 (64%) patients had high IDRF score (score ≥ 6). High IDRF group significantly had higher incidence of organ injury and more intraoperative blood loss. At post-chemotherapy, high IDRF was not only associated with higher operative complications, but also associated with 2-year overall survival and progress-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroblastoma patients whose IDRF score, either at diagnosis or after neoadjuvant therapy, was 6 or higher had increased risk of surgical complication. This evidence prompts pediatric surgeons to prepare more for safe surgery in this group of patients.
