title: Gamma Knife radiosurgery of brainstem gliomas.
abstract: From August 1992 until December 1999 Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) was applied to 21 patients (male to female ratio 14:7) with brainstem gliomas. Patient's median age was 23 years (8-56 years). All tumours were histologically confirmed by biopsy or open surgery: 12 low-grade gliomas and 9 malignant growths. Two lesions were located primarily in the medulla, 12 in the pons and 7 in the midbrain. A median dose of 12 Gy (9-20 Gy) was applied to the tumour margin by the median isodose of 45%. Prior to radiosurgery 4 patients were treated by conventional radiotherapy, 1 had radiotherapy and chemotherapy, 1 patient underwent chemotherapy, and 1 patient was shunted due to hydrocephalus. Neuroimaging controls (MR, CT) were obtained from 19 patients. The median interval between radiosurgery and the last neuroimaging control was 11.8 months (1-74 months). Neuroimaging depicted tumour progression in 2 patients, stable disease in 10 patients and regression in 3 cases. Follow-up periods ranged between 3 and 99 months (median 29 months). The neurological state improved in 5 patients. Microsurgical cyst fenestration was performed in 1 patient after GKRS, shunting procedure was necessary for 2 patients. Nine patients died unrelated to radiosurgery within 3 to 45 months (median 20.7 months). GKRS is an effective treatment modality for brainstem gliomas with satisfying tumour control and functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kreil
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sutter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papaethymiou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pendl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011149:Pons / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D016634:Radiosurgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed