scholarly journals Neuro-ophthalmologic outcomes of standard versus hypo-fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy of AVPM

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leor Zach ◽  
Amir Agami ◽  
Orit Furman ◽  
Moshe Attia ◽  
Zvi Cohen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Most anterior visual pathway meningiomas (AVPM) are benign and slow-growing, but these tumors may affect visual functions, including visual acuity (VA) and visual field (VF). Due to location, most are treated non-surgically by fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), aiming to prevent tumor progression and visual functions deterioration. Unfortunately, FSRT in itself may affect visual functions. The current preferred treatment regimen (in terms of safety and effectiveness) is undetermined. While most cases are treated with conventional fractionation (cFSRT)—50.4–54 Gy in 28–30 fractions of 1.8–2 Gy, advances in technology have allowed shortening of total treatment length to hypofractionation (hSRT)—25-27 Gy in 3–5 fractions of 5–9 Gy. Our aim was to evaluate the association of radiotherapy regimen for treating AVPM (cFSRT vs. hSRT) with visual function outcomes (VA, VF) at the last neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of AVPM cases treated at Sheba Medical Center during 2004–2015. We compared cFSRT and hSRT regimens regarding visual function (VA, VF) outcomes at the last neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation. VA was determined by the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR). VF was determined by the mean deviation (MD). A clinically relevant change in VA was defined as 0.2 LogMAR. Results 48 patients (13 receiving hSRT, 35 receiving cFSRT) were included, with a median follow-up of 55 months. No significant difference was evident regarding LogMAR or MD of involved eyes at the last evaluation. Six (17%) patients in the cFSRT group experienced clinically relevant VA deterioration in the involved eye, compared with six (46%) in hSRT (p = 0.06). Conclusion Our findings, using comprehensive and meticulous investigation of visual outcomes, suggest that hSRT may be associated with higher risk for VA and VF deterioration in AVPM especially in ONSM. We recommend the use of cFSRT for ONSM.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leor Zach ◽  
Amir Agami ◽  
Orit Furman ◽  
Attia Moshe ◽  
Zvi Cohen ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Most anterior visual pathway meningiomas (AVPM) are benign and slow-growing, but these tumors may affect visual functions, including visual acuity (VA) and visual field (VF). Due to location, most are treated non-surgically by fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), aiming to prevent tumor progression and visual functions deterioration. Unfortunately, FSRT in itself may affect visual functions. The current preferred treatment regimen (in terms of safety and effectiveness) is undetermined. While most cases are treated with conventional fractionation (cFSRT) – 50.4–54 Gy in 28–30 fractions of 1.8-2 Gy, advances in technology have allowed shortening of total treatment length to hypofractionation (hSRT) – 25-27Gy in 3–5 fractions of 5–9 Gy. Our aim was to evaluate the association of radiotherapy regimen for treating AVPM (cFSRT vs. hSRT) with visual function outcomes (VA, VF) at the last neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of AVPM cases treated at Sheba Medical Center during 2004–2015. We compared cFSRT and hSRT regimens regarding visual function (VA, VF) outcomes at the last neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation. VA was determined by the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR). VF was determined by the mean deviation (MD). A clinically relevant change in VA was defined as 0.2 LogMAR. RESULTS 48 patients (13 receiving hSRT, 35 receiving cFSRT) were included, with a median follow-up of 55 months. No significant difference was evident regarding LogMAR or MD of involved eyes at the last evaluation. Six (17%) patients in the cFSRT group experienced clinically relevant VA deterioration in the involved eye, compared with six (46%) in hSRT (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION Our findings, using comprehensive and meticulous investigation of visual outcomes, suggest that hSRT may be associated with higher risk for VA and VF deterioration in AVPM especially in ONSM. We recommend the use of cFSRT for ONSM.



Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 734-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy N. Showalter ◽  
Maria Werner-Wasik ◽  
Walter J. Curran ◽  
David P. Friedman ◽  
Xia Xu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To review outcomes after fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSR) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for nonacoustic cranial nerve schwannomas. METHODS We reviewed medical records of 39 patients who received FSR or SRS for nonacoustic cranial nerve schwannomas at our institution during the period from 1996 to 2007. RESULTS Tumors involved Cranial Nerves V (n = 19), III (n = 2), VI (n = 3), VII (n = 5), IX (n = 2), X (n = 5), and XII (n = 2) and the cavernous sinus (n = 1). Irradiation was performed after partial resection, biopsy, or no previous surgery in 16, 2, and 21 patients, respectively. Twenty-four patients received FSR, delivered in 1.8- to 2.0-Gy fractions to a median dose of 50.4 Gy (range, 45.0–54.0 Gy). Fifteen patients received SRS to a median dose of 12.0 Gy (range, 12–15 Gy). Mild acute toxicity occurred in 23% of the patients. The 2-year actuarial tumor control rate after FSR and SRS was 95%. The median follow-up period was 24 months. Changes in cranial nerve deficits after stereotactic irradiation were analyzed for patients with follow-up periods greater than 12 months (n = 26); cranial nerve deficits improved in 50%, were stable in 46%, and worsened in 4% of the patients. No significant difference was observed for FSR compared with SRS with regard to local control or to improvement of cranial nerve-related symptoms (P = 0.17). CONCLUSION SRS and FSR are both well-tolerated treatments for nonacoustic cranial nerve schwannomas, providing excellent tumor control and a high likelihood of symptomatic improvement.



Neurosurgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erol Veznedaroglu ◽  
David W. Andrews ◽  
Ronald P. Benitez ◽  
M. Beverly Downes ◽  
Maria Werner-Wasik ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Despite the success of stereotactic radiosurgery, large inoperable arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of 14 cm3 or more have remained largely refractory to stereotactic radiosurgery, with much lower obliteration rates. We review treatment of large AVMs either previously untreated or partially obliterated by embolization with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSR) regimens using a dedicated linear accelerator (LINAC). METHODS: Before treatment, all patients were discussed at a multidisciplinary radiosurgery board and found to be suitable for FSR. All patients were evaluated for pre-embolization. Those who had feeding pedicles amenable to glue embolization were treated. LINAC technique involved acquisition of a stereotactic angiogram in a relocatable frame that was also used for head localization during treatment. The FSR technique involved the use of six 7-Gy fractions delivered on alternate days over a 2-week period, and this was subsequently dropped to 5-Gy fractions after late complications in one of seven patients treated with 7-Gy fractions. Treatments were based exclusively on digitized biplanar stereotactic angiographic data. We used a Varian 600SR LINAC (Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA) and XKnife treatment planning software (Radionics, Inc., Burlington, MA). In most cases, one isocenter was used, and conformality was established by non-coplanar arc beam shaping and differential beam weighting. RESULTS: Thirty patients with large AVMs were treated between January 1995 and August 1998. Seven patients were treated with 42-Gy/7-Gy fractions, with one patient lost to follow-up and the remaining six with previous partial embolization. Twenty-three patients were treated with 30-Gy/5-Gy fractions, with two patients lost to follow-up and three who died as a result of unrelated causes. Of 18 evaluable patients, 8 had previous partial embolization. Mean AVM volumes at FSR treatment were 23.8 and 14.5 cm3, respectively, for the 42-Gy/7-Gy fraction and 30-Gy/5-Gy fraction groups. After embolization, 18 patients still had AVM niduses of 14 cm3 or more: 6 in the 7-Gy cohort and 12 in the 5-Gy cohort. For patients with at least 5-year follow-up, angiographically documented AVM obliteration rates were 83% for the 42-Gy/7-Gy fraction group, with a mean latency of 108 weeks (5 of 6 evaluable patients), and 22% for the 30-Gy/5-Gy fraction group, with an average latency of 191 weeks (4 of 18 evaluable patients) (P = 0.018). For AVMs that remained at 14 cm3 or more after embolization (5 of 6 patients), the obliteration rate remained 80% (4 of 5 patients) for the 7-Gy cohort and dropped to 9% for the 5-Gy cohort. A cumulative hazard plot revealed a 7.2-fold greater likelihood of obliteration with the 42-Gy/7-Gy fraction protocol (P = 0.0001), which increased to a 17-fold greater likelihood for postembolization AVMs of 14 cm3 or more (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: FSR achieves obliteration for AVMs at a threshold dose, including large residual niduses after embolization. With significant treatment-related morbidities, further investigation warrants a need for better three-dimensional target definition with higher dose conformality.



Author(s):  
Keiichi Takehana ◽  
Daisuke Nakamura ◽  
Alshaymaa Abdelghaffar ◽  
Megumi Uto ◽  
Tomohiro Katagiri ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the radiological change patterns in skull base meningiomas after conventionally fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (CFSRT) to determine a simple and valid method to assess the tumor response. Materials and methods Forty-one patients with a benign skull base meningioma treated by CFSRT from March 2007 to August 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. We measured tumor volume (TV), long-axis diameter (LD), and short-axis diameter (SD) on both pre-treatment images and follow-up images of 1, 3, and 5 years after CFSRT, respectively. The paired t test was used to detect differences in the LD and SD change rates. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate relationships between the TV and the diameters changes. Results The number of available follow-up MRIs that was performed at 1, 3, and 5 years after the CFSRT was 41 (100%), 34 (83%), and 23 (56%), respectively. The change rates of SD were significantly higher than those of LD at every time point and more strongly correlated with the change rates of tumor volume at 3 and 5 years after CFSRT. Conclusions SD may be useful as a simple indicator of the tumor response for skull base meningioma after CFSRT. Key Points • The change rate in short-axis diameter is a useful and simple indicator of the response of skull base meningioma to conventionally fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. • Conventionally fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for skull base meningioma achieved excellent 5-year local control.



Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Barber ◽  
Bin S. Teh ◽  
David S. Baskin

Abstract BACKGROUND Early results of postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for functional and nonfunctional pituitary adenomas appear promising, but the majority of available evidence draws from small series with insufficient follow-up data to draw meaningful conclusions. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term outcomes of a large series of patients undergoing FSRT for both functional and nonfunctional pituitary adenomas with the Novalis system (Brain LAB, Heimstetten, Germany). METHODS Chart data for 75 consecutive patients undergoing FSRT for a pituitary tumor (21 functional and 54 nonfunctional adenomas) at our institution between January 2004 and June 2013 were reviewed. RESULTS Radiographic progression-free survival was 100% over a mean of 47.8 months of radiographic follow-up (range, 12.0-131.2 months). Hormonal normalization was seen in 69.2% of patients with functional adenomas after FSRT, whereas 30.8% experienced partial hormonal control. Mild, grade I acute adverse effects were observed during radiotherapy treatment in 36 patients (48%), and objective, persistent worsening of vision occurred in a single patient (1.5%) after FSRT. New hormonal deficits were seen in 28.0% of patients after FSRT. Radiographic responses were inversely related to tumor volume. CONCLUSION FSRT delivers radiographic and functional outcomes similar to those seen with stereotactic radiosurgery and conventional radiotherapy with less resultant toxicity. FSRT is most beneficial for smaller tumors (those <3 cm in diameter).



Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayan Moosa ◽  
Lindsay Bowerman ◽  
Ellen Smith ◽  
Mindy Bryant ◽  
Natalie Krovetz ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Hospital readmissions are extremely costly in terms of time and resources and negatively impact patient safety and satisfaction. In this study, we performed a Pareto analysis of 30-day readmissions in a neurosurgical patient population in order to identify patients at high-risk for readmission. Using this information, we implemented a new practice parameter with the goal of reducing preventable readmissions. METHODS Patient characteristics and causes for readmission were prospectively collected for all neurosurgical patients readmitted to an academic medical center within 30 d of discharge between July and October 2018. A program was then initiated where postoperative neurosurgical spine patients were contacted by phone at standardized intervals before their 2-wk follow-up appointment, with the purpose of more quickly addressing surgical concerns and/or coordinating care for general medical issues. Finally, 30-d readmission rates were compared between the initial 4-mo period and January 2019 through April 2019. RESULTS Prior to intervention, the largest group of readmitted patients included those who had undergone recent spinal surgery (16/47, 34%). Among spine readmissions during this time, 47% were readmitted before their two-week follow-up appointment, 67% lived over 50 miles from the medical center, and 40% were Medicare-insured. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean rate of spine readmissions per month in the periods before (7.0%) and after (3.0%) the program onset (P = .029, 57% decline). The total number of surgically and medically related spine readmissions decreased between the pre- and postintervention periods from 10 to 3 (70%) and 3 to 1 (67%), respectively. CONCLUSION Our data suggests that a large number of neurosurgical readmissions may be prevented by the simple process of early follow-up and consistent communication via telephone. Readmission rates may be further reduced by standardizing the coordination of postoperative general medical follow-up and providing thorough wound care teaching for high-risk patients.



2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Farzad Marashi Nia ◽  
Mohamad Aghaie Meybodi ◽  
Richard Sutton ◽  
Ajay Bansal ◽  
Mojtaba Olyaee ◽  
...  

Summary Esophageal foreign body impaction (EFBI) is a gastrointestinal emergency, mostly requiring endoscopic management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology, adverse events, and outcomes of patients following the episode of EFBI. All esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) reports of admitted patients for EFBI at the University of Kansas Medical Center between 2003 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Of 204 patients, who met the inclusion criteria, 60% were male and the mean age was 54.7 ± 17.7 years. The encounter was the first episode of EFBI in 76% of cases. EGD in less than 24 hours of patients’ admission was required in 79% of cases. The distal esophagus was the most common site of impaction (44%). Push and pull techniques were used in 38 and 35.2% of cases, respectively, while 11% were managed by a combination of both techniques. Structural causes were the most common etiologic findings including benign strictures and stenosis in 21.5% of patients, followed by Schatzki’s ring (7.8%) and hiatal hernia (6.9%). Of all cases, 45% did follow-up in up to 1 year, and biopsy was done in 34% of cases. Out of 43 patients who had endoscopic findings suspicious for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), the diagnosis was confirmed by pathology in 37. The rate of recurrence EFBI was significantly higher in patients with EoE (P < 0.001). EFBI-related esophageal adverse events (AEs) occurred in 4.9% of cases. Cardiovascular and pulmonary AEs occurred in 1.5 and 2.9%, respectively. Logistic regression did not find any predictor for AEs occurrence. EFBI managed very well with endoscopic treatments. Despite the emerging data about the safety of the push technique, there are still concerns regarding its adverse events especially the risk of perforations. Our study shows no significant difference in adverse events between different types of techniques.



2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (15) ◽  
pp. 3547-3553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juergen Debus ◽  
Martina Wuendrich ◽  
Andrea Pirzkall ◽  
Angelika Hoess ◽  
Wolfgang Schlegel ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: Large skull-base meningiomas are difficult to treat due to their proximity or adherence to critical structures. We analyzed the long-term results of patients with skull-base meningiomas treated by a new approach with high-precision fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine patients with benign meningiomas were treated with conformal fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy between 1985 and 1998. Patients were undergoing a course of radiotherapy either as primary treatment, following subtotal resection, or for recurrent disease. The median target volume was 52.5 mL (range, 5.2 to 370 mL). The mean radiation dose was 56.8 Gy (± 4.4 Gy). Follow-up examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging, were performed at 6-month intervals thereafter. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 35 months (range, 3 months to 12 years). Overall actuarial survival for patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade I meningiomas was 97% after 5 years and 96% after 10 years. Local tumor failure was observed in three of 180 patients with WHO grade I tumors and was significantly higher in two of nine patients with WHO grade II tumors. A volume reduction of more than 50% was observed in 26 patients (14%). Preexisting cranial nerve symptoms resolved completely in 28% of the patients. Clinically significant treatment-induced toxicity was seen in 1.6% of the patients. No treatment-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy is safe and effective in the therapy of subtotally resected or unresectable meningiomas. The overall morbidity and incidence subacute and late side effects of this conformal radiotherapy approach were low.



1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G. Belza ◽  
Sarah S. Donaldson ◽  
Gary K. Steinberg ◽  
Richard S. Cox ◽  
Philip H. Cogen

✓ Seventy-seven patients presenting with medulloblastoma between 1958 and 1986 were treated at Stanford University Medical Center and studied retrospectively. Multimodality therapy utilized surgical extirpation followed by megavoltage irradiation. In 15 cases chemotherapy was used as adjunctive treatment. The 10- and 15-year actuarial survival rates were both 41% with an 18-year maximum follow-up period (median 4.75 years). There were no treatment failures after 8 years of tumor-free survival. Gross total removal of tumor was achieved in 22 patients (32%); the surgical mortality rate was 3.9%. No significant difference was noted in the incidence of metastatic disease between shunted and nonshunted patients. The classical form of medulloblastoma was present in 67% of cases while the desmoplastic subtype was found in 16%. Survival rates were best for patients presenting after 1970, for those with desmoplastic tumors, and for patients receiving high-dose irradiation (≥ 5000 cGy) to the posterior fossa. Although early data on freedom from relapse suggested a possible beneficial effect from chemotherapy, long-term follow-up results showed no advantage from this modality of treatment. The patterns of relapse and survival were examined; 64% of relapses occurred within the central nervous system, and Collins' rule was applicable in 83% of cases beyond the period of risk. Although patients treated for recurrent disease could be palliated, none were long-term survivors. The study data indicate that freedom from relapse beyond 8 years from diagnosis can be considered as a cure in this disease. Long-term follow-up monitoring is essential to determine efficacy of treatment and to assess survival patterns accurately.



2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 596-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuri Uslu ◽  
Ebru Karakaya ◽  
Aysen Dizman ◽  
Dincer Yegen ◽  
Yildiz Guney

In the current report, the authors present a case of optic nerve glioma treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). An 11-year-old girl was referred to our clinic with increasing proptosis over a 1-year period. At that time orbital MRI revealed a 20 × 17–mm mass in the right retroorbital lipomatous tissue, and FSRT was delivered to the tumor using the CyberKnife. During the 1.5-year follow-up, ophthalmological examinations did not indicate any treatment-related severe toxicity, and posttreatment MRI demonstrated marked regression of the lesion to 13 × 10 mm. Given the scarcity of reports on this subject, the authors support more extended studies of the CyberKnife for the effective treatment of this relatively common childhood tumor.



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