[Brachytherapy of brainstem tumors].
BACKGROUND
The optimal therapy of brain stem tumours of different histopathology determines the expected length of survival. Authors report 125Iodine interstitial irradiation of brain stem tumours with stereotactic brachytherapy.


METHODS
Two patients having brain stem tumours were suffering from glioma or from metastases of a carcinoma. In Case 1 the tumour volume was 1.98 cm3 at the time of planning interstitial irradiation. The control MRI examination performed at 42 months post-op showed a postirradiation cyst size of 5.73 cm3 indicating 65.5% shrinkage. In Case 2 the shrinkage was more apparent as the tumour volume measured on the control MRI at 8 months post-op was only 0.16 cm3 indicating 97.4% shrinkage of the 6.05 cm3 target volume at the time of brachytherapy with the metastasis practically disappearing. Quick access to histopathological results of the stereotactic intraoperative biopsy made it possible to carry out the 125Iodine stereotactic brachytherapy immediately after the biopsy, resulting in less inconvenience for patients of a second possible intervention. The control MRI scans show significant shrinkage of tumours in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The procedure can be performed as a biopsy. The CT and image fusion guided 125Iodine stereotactic brachytherapy can be well planned dosimetrically and is surgically precise.
Julow
Jenö
J
Szent János Kórház és Rendelóintézet, Idegsebészeti Osztály, Budapest.
Viola
Arpád
A
Major
Tibor
T
Valálik
István
I
Sági
Sarolta
S
Mangel
László
L
Kovács
Rita Beáta
RB
Repa
Imre
I
Bajzik
Gábor
G
Németh
György
G
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes