WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF CRANIOTOMY FOR A Brain Tumour?
Every operation carries a risk. Overall, complications following a craniotomy are uncommon and the degree of risk depends on a number of factors, for example, the size, location and type of the tumour, your general medical health and age. Your surgeon will explain to you the particular risks associated with your operation and give you an indication of the likely chance of complications occurring. Complications include, but are not exclusive to, the following: Temporary or permanent neurological deficit (stroke e.g. Paralysis of limbs or loss of speech) Haematoma (blood clot) Brain swelling Infection Fits CSF leak (leakage of fluid from around the brain) General medical complications Deep vein thrombosis (clot in leg veins) Pulmonary embolism (clot from legs passing to lungs) Pneumonia Heart attack Urinary tract infection Some of these complications might be serious enough to warrant further surgery and some can be life threatening. Overall, as a general guide, the incidence of serious
