. 2016 Nov 3;1(1):53–63. doi: 10.1007/s41669-016-0003-2

Table 2.

Cost comparison by tumor type and procedure type

Tumor type^a	Procedure	Average costs (US$)^b	Statistical findings	Average age (years)
Primary and metastatic (n = 27)	Brain LITT	32,215 ± 11,891	MD = –US$2767; 95% CI –7639 to 2105; P = 0.27	57.8 ± 11.2
Primary and metastatic (n = 340)	Craniotomy	34,982 ± 17,903	MD = –US$2767; 95% CI –7639 to 2105; P = 0.27	54.5 ± 14.9
Primary only (n = 19)	Brain LITT	33,392 ± 13,773	MD = –US$1669; 95% CI –8192 to 4854; P = 0.62	58.71 ± 12^c
Primary only (n = 248)	Craniotomy	35,061 ± 16,471	MD = –US$1669; 95% CI –8192 to 4854; P = 0.62	51 ± 15.5^c
Metastatic only (n = 8)	Brain LITT	29,419 ± 4965	MD = −US$6522; 95% CI −11,927 to −1117; P = 0.02	59 ± 9.6
Metastatic only (n = 92)	Craniotomy	35,941 ± 20,401	MD = −US$6522; 95% CI −11,927 to −1117; P = 0.02	62 ± 10
DTA (n = 19)	Brain LITT	33,392 ± 13,773	MD = −US$4719; 95% CI −12,183 to 2745; P = 0.22	57 ± 12^d
DTA (n = 65)	Craniotomy	38,111 ± 17,139	MD = −US$4719; 95% CI −12,183 to 2745; P = 0.22	49 ± 14^d

CI confidence interval, DTA difficult to access, ICD-9-CM International classification of diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification, LITT laser interstitial thermal therapy, MD mean difference

^aPrimary tumors: ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes 191.0–191.9 (malignant neoplasm of the brain); secondary tumors: ICD-9-CM diagnosis code 198.3 (secondary malignant neoplasm, brain and spinal cord)

^bAverage costs: average costs of procedure and post-acute care, which includes skilled nursing facility, inpatient rehabilitation facility, and/or home care

^cSignificant at the P = 0.008 level

^dSignificant at the P = 0.01 level