Stereotactic noninvasive volume measurement compared with geometric measurement for indications and evaluation of gamma knife treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Volume estimation is one of the most important criteria in the evaluation and follow up of radiosurgical treatments and outcomes; however, several limitations are involved in the calculation estimation of target volumes.


METHODS
Retrospective and prospective studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a new noninvasive stereotactic method when it is compared with geometric volume calculation of intracranial tumors for planning stereotactic radiosurgery treatment as well as for follow up and outcome evaluation. Two equations were created that permit comparison of the calculated and measured volumes. These equations took linear and quadratic forms, respectively. Volume estimation using the stereotactic approach compared with traditional volume calculation gave more accurate results regardless of the shape and size of the lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of stereotactic volume calculation is highly recommended in planning, follow up, and determination of the outcome in patients participating in radiosurgical treatment and should lead to more uniform reports of the response to treatment.
del Valle
Ramiro
R
Gamma Radiosurgery Department and MRI Department, Hospital Medica Sur. Mexico City, Mexico. rdvld@aol.com
Pérez
Miguel
M
Ortiz
Juan
J
Ruiz
Salvador
S
de Anda
Salvador
S
Jaramillo
José
J
Martínez
Manuel
M
Corona
Roberto
R
Vivas
Ingrid
I
Facha
Teresa
T
Olmos
Rosario
R
Arrieta
Arturo
A
Estrada
Josué
J
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000502:physiology*