title: Linac-accelerator-radiosurgery.
abstract: A survey is given of the actual possibilities and limitations of the use of linear accelerators (Linac radiosurgery systems) for intra = cranial radiosurgery. Depending on the collimator size, spherical fields from 5-54 mm in diameter can be irradiated with dose gradients from 10% (large fields) to 20% (small fields) per millimeter distance between surface and treatment volume. This is comparable to the possibilities of Gamma-Knife and Proton-irradiation. Optimal mechanical adjustment of gantry and linac table are necessary for the required stability of the isocenter. Mechanical inaccuracy should be smaller than 0.8 mm. Advanced computerized 3D-treatment planning systems are indispensable prerequisites for accurate treatment and use of the flexibility of the linac system. Future developments are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University of Cologne, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sturm
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schlegel
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pastyr
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Treuer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voges
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lorenz
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016634:Radiosurgery