Iodine-125 brachytherapy of brain stem tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To report on iodine-125 ((125)I) interstitial irradiation in the treatment of brain stem tumors.


METHODS
Two patients with brain stem tumors were treated with CT- and image fusion-guided (125)I stereotactic brachytherapy.


RESULTS
By March 2003, the patients had been followed up for 47 and 13 months, respectively. In case 1, the tumor volume was 1.98 cm(3) on the control CT, indicating a 65.5% shrinkage as compared to a target volume of 5.73 cm3 at the time of brachytherapy. In case 2, shrinkage was more distinct. After irradiation, the cyst volume was 0.16 cm(3) on the control MRI, indicating a 97.4% shrinkage as compared to a target volume of 6.05 cm(3) at the time of brachytherapy, i. e., the metastasis had virtually disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
CT- and image fusion-guided (125)I stereotactic brachytherapy can be performed during the biopsy session. The procedure can be well planned dosimetrically and is surgically precise.
Julow
Jenö
J
Department of Neurosurgery, St. John's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary. h12494jul@ella.hu
Viola
Arpád
A
Major
Tibor
T
Valálik
István
I
Sági
Sarolta
S
Mangel
László
L
Kovács
Beáta R
BR
Repa
Imre
I
Bajzik
Gábor
G
Zoltán
Takácsi N
TN
Németh
György
G
D001918:Brachytherapy; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011149:Pons; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes