脳ドックにおける脳腫瘍発見の後方視的分析と臨床的対応

Brain Tumor Findings in Brain Check-up and Clinical Management: A Retrospective Analysis

本研究では，2018年4月1日から2025年3月31日に脳ドックを受診した2,281人を対象に，偶発的に発見された脳腫瘍の頻度・種別・臨床経過および対応・治療戦略を後ろ向きに検討した。脳腫瘍の検出率は0.7％であった。発見された髄膜腫および下垂体部腫瘍の症例を提示し，各腫瘍に対する対応方針や治療介入について報告する。脳ドックによる脳腫瘍の早期発見と適切な管理は，患者の生命予後や生活の質の向上に寄与する可能性が示唆された。

Abstract

This retrospective study investigated the frequency, types, clinical courses, and management strategies of incidentally discovered brain tumors in 2,281 asymptomatic individuals (mean age; 59.0 years, 48.8% women) who underwent brain checkups at our institution between 2018 and 2025. Brain tumors were detected in 16 patients (detection rate; 0.7%), consistent with the results of large-scale neuroimaging studies in healthy populations. However, because of age variability in previous studies, we focused on data from cohorts with an average age ＞50 years for comparative analysis. The most common types are meningiomas and pituitary tumors. Here, we present representative cases of these tumors and discuss the decision-making process between active treatment and observation, considering tumor characteristics, location, and potential for symptom development. Appropriate diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary management can lead to early detection and timely intervention, thereby improving prognosis and quality of life.