Document Detail


Gamma knife surgery for brainstem arteriovenous malformations.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21839958     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term imaging and clinical outcomes of patients with brainstem arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS).
METHODS: The study included 85 patients with brainstem AVMs undergoing GKS during the period 1989-2007. The locations of the nidi were the midbrain in 42 patients, pons in 31 patients, and medulla oblongata in 12 patients. The volume of the nidi ranged from 0.1-8.9 mL (median 1.4 mL, mean 1.9 mL), and the prescription dose ranged from 5-32 Gy (median 20 Gy, mean 19.9 Gy). After the initial Gamma procedure, 18 patients had repeat GKS for AVM residuals that were still patent. Two patients had a third GKS 7 years and 16 years after a failed repeat GKS. Clinical follow-up ranged from 24-252 months with a mean of 100 months (median 102 months) after the initial GKS.
RESULTS: GKS yielded a total angiographic obliteration in 50 (58.8%) patients and subtotal obliteration in 4 (4.7%) patients. In 22 (25.9%) patients, the AVMs remained patent. In 9 patients (10.6%), no flow voids were observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but angiographic confirmation was unavailable. A small nidus volume and a high prescription dose were significantly associated with increased AVM obliteration rate. Radiation-induced changes developed in 34 patients (40%); 24 were asymptomatic, 1 patient had only headache, and 9 patients developed neurologic deficits. One patient developed a large cyst 6 years after GKS.
CONCLUSIONS: Given the poor surgical outcome of brainstem AVMs, the results of 59% nidus obliteration and 6% permanent neurologic deficits make GKS a reasonable management of these difficult lesions.
Authors:
Chun-Po Yen; Ladislau Steiner
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  World neurosurgery     Volume:  76     ISSN:  1878-8750     ISO Abbreviation:  World Neurosurg     Publication Date:    2011 Jul-Aug
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-08-15     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101528275     Medline TA:  World Neurosurg     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  87-95     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Lars Leksell Center for Gamma Surgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
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