title: Intracavitary irradiation with colloidal phosphorus-32 for treatment of an arachnoid cyst: a new approach.
abstract: Intracavitary irradiation is reported as an additional treatment for intracranial arachnoid cysts that do not communicate with the subarachnoid space. A 46-year-old woman with a large suprasellar arachnoid cyst that had enlarged over a 4-year interval presented with new onset headaches. Stereotactic intracavitary irradiation was performed using colloidal phosphorus-32 as an alternative to craniotomy or insertion of a shunt. Total regression of the cyst occurred within one month with resolution of her headaches. After three years of follow-up, imaging studies showed only an empty sella appearance, and no cyst recurrence. No early or delayed morbidity occurred. Intracavitary irradiation may be a useful therapy for arachnoid cysts, in an attempt to alter the biology of the cyst lining.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, Presbyterian University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kondziolka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes