Evaluation of Nidus Occlusion After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author(s):  
Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Po Yen ◽  
Surbhi Jain ◽  
Iftikhar-ul Haq ◽  
Jay Jagannathan ◽  
David Schlesinger ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE The causes of failure after an initial Gamma procedure were studied, along with imaging and clinical outcomes, in a series of 140 patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with repeat Gamma Knife surgery (GKS). METHODS Causes of initial treatment failure included inaccurate nidus definition in 14 patients, failure to fill part of the nidus as a result of hemodynamic factors in 16, recanalization of embolized AVM compartments in 6, and suboptimal dose (< 20 Gy) in 23. Nineteen patients had repeat GKS for subtotal obliteration of AVMs. In 62 patients, the AVM failed to obliterate despite correct target definition and adequate dose. At the time of retreatment, the nidus volume ranged from 0.1 to 6.9 cm3 (mean, 1.4 cm3), and the mean prescription dose was 20.3 Gy. RESULTS Repeat GKS yielded a total angiographic obliteration in 77 patients (55%) and subtotal obliteration in 9 (6.4%). In 38 patients (27.1%), the AVMs remained patent, and in 16 patients (11.4%), no flow voids were observed on magnetic resonance imaging. Clinically, 126 patients improved or remained stable, and 14 experienced deterioration (8 resulting from a rebleed, 2 caused by persistent arteriovenous shunting, and 4 related to radiation-induced changes). CONCLUSION By using repeat GKS, we achieved a 55% angiographic cure rate. Although radiation-induced changes as visualized on magnetic resonance imaging occurred in 48 patients (39%), only 4 patients (3.6%) developed permanent neurological deficits. These findings may be useful in deciding the management of AVMs in whom total obliteration after initial GKS was not achieved.


Author(s):  
Sinead Jacobson ◽  
Catherine Jones ◽  
Ryan Lusk ◽  
Mike Jenkins ◽  
Crispen Chamunyonga ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 464-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. St. George ◽  
P. Butler ◽  
P. N. Plowman

Object. Current radiosurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) relies on planning protocols that integrate data from both magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and stereotactic angiography studies. Angiography, however, is invasive and associated with a small but well-defined risk of neurological and systemic complications. Magnetic resonance imaging, on the other hand, is noninvasive with multiplanar capability, demonstrates good anatomical detail, and has been shown to be superior to angiography in the delineation of selected AVMs. Methods. In this study, MR imaging—related accuracy of defining the AVM nidus in gamma knife radiosurgery is investigated using only T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Conclusions. Little interobserver variability was observed and AVM nidi, as demonstrated on T1- and T2-weighted MR images, were well correlated in terms of size. The displacement of the new target, however, from the original nidus, was not predictable and occasionally was significant, thus precluding safe radiosurgical planning.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1261-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Brisman ◽  
Alexander G. Khandji ◽  
Robertus B.M. Mooij

Abstract OBJECTIVE Blood vessel (BV) compression of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve [CN] V) is a common cause of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained during gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in patients with TN may be used to analyze the BV-CN V relationship. Follow-up data from a large series of patients treated with GKRS for TN were used to provide information regarding the BV-CN V relationship and pain relief. METHODS T1-weighted, axial 1-mm-thick volume acquisition magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained through the area of CN V at its exit from the brainstem after injection of 15 ml of gadolinium. The BV-CN V relationship on the symptomatic side that was treated with GKRS was categorized into the following groups: Group 1 (no close relationship), Group 2 (BV close to CN V but not touching it), and Groups 3 and higher (BV-CN V contact). RESULTS A total of 181 symptomatic nerves were studied in 179 patients with TN who were treated with GKRS. In BV-CN V Groups 1, 2, and 3 and higher, respectively, were 43 sides (24%), 31 sides (17%), and 107 sides (59%). In 100 sides where there was no surgical procedure before GKRS, 50% or greater pain relief was more likely in those with BV-CN V contact (51 [88%] of 58 sides) than in those without BV-CN V (29 [69%] of 42 sides) (P = 0.024). BV-CN V contact was observed more often in men (55 [69%] of 80 sides) than in women (52 [52%] of 101 sides) (P = 0.023) and more often in patients who had unilateral TN (104 [62%] of 169 patients) rather than bilateral TN (2 [20%] of 10 patients) (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION In patients who have not undergone previous surgery for TN, BV-CN V contact revealed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging may indicate a particularly favorable response to GKRS.


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