Nonprogressive calcified mass of the skull involving nine cranial nerves: 36-year follow-up

1974 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 779-782
Author(s):  
Michael Scott
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unilateral Involvement ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Progressive Enlargement

✓ A case is reported in which a calcified mass in the posterior and middle fossae produced unilateral involvement of nine cranial nerves but 36 years later showed no evidence of progressive enlargement or increase in neurological deficit.

Dose—response tolerance of the visual pathways and cranial nerves of the cavernous sinus to stereotactic radiosurgery

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus A. Leber ◽  
Jutta Berglöff ◽  
Gerhard Pendl
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Visual Pathways ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Response Tolerance ◽  
Fine Print

As the number of patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery increases, it becomes particularly important to define with precision adverse effects on distinct structures of the nervous system. Object. This study was designed to assess the dose—response tolerance of the visual pathways and cranial nerves after exposure of the cavernous sinus to radiation. Methods. A total of 66 sites in the visual system and 210 cranial nerves of the middle cranial fossa were investigated in 50 patients who had undergone gamma knife treatment for benign skull base tumors. The mean follow-up period was 40 months (range 24–60 months). Follow-up examinations consisted of neurological, neuroradiological, and neuroophthalmological evaluations. The actuarial incidence of optic neuropathy was zero for patients who received a radiation dose of less than 10 Gy, 26.7% for patients receiving a dose in the range of 10 to less than 15 Gy, and 77.8% for those who received doses of 15 Gy or more (p < 0.0001). Previously impaired vision improved in 25.8% and was unchanged in 51.5% of patients. No sign of neuropathy was seen in patients whose cranial nerves of the cavernous sinus received radiation doses of between 5 and 30 Gy. Because tumor control appeared to have been achieved in 98% of the patients, the deterioration in visual function cannot be attributed to tumor progression. Conclusions. The structures of the visual pathways (the optic nerve, chiasm, and tract) exhibit a much higher sensitivity to single-fraction radiation than other cranial nerves, and their particular dose—response characteristics can be defined. In contrast, the oculomotor and trigeminal nerves have a much higher dose tolerance.

Neurosurgical management of low-grade astrocytoma of the cerebral hemispheres

1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 665-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. Laws ◽  
William F. Taylor ◽  
Marvin B. Clifton ◽  
Haruo Okazaki
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors conducted a retrospective review of surgically treated, histologically proven cases of low-grade (Grade 1 or 2) astrocytomas. Follow-up analysis, with survival time as the end-point, was completed using multivariant statistical analysis. In the 461 cases of supratentorial low-grade astrocytoma in this study, age of the patient at the time of surgery was by far the most important variable in predicting length of survival. Other variables correlating with increasing survival times were: gross total surgical removal, lack of major preoperative neurological deficit, long duration of symptoms prior to surgery, seizures as a presenting symptom, lack of major postoperative neurological deficit, and surgery performed in recent decades. The multi-variant regression analysis showed that radiation therapy was of clear benefit, primarily in older patients with incompletely removed tumors. For purposes of establishing prognosis and testing the results, a “score” was developed to predict survival times, based on the most important variables. The data in this study provide a basis for the analysis of future modes of management of low-grade gliomas.

Spinal meningeal melanocytoma

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuncer Turhan ◽  
Kazim Oner ◽  
Taskin Yurtseven ◽  
Taner Akalin ◽  
Izzet Ovul
Keyword(s):  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Total Excision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Meningeal Melanocytoma ◽  
Radiological Examinations ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report on two patients with spinal meningeal melanocytoma and review the literature on this lesion. One case is particularly interesting because of the lesion's thoracic intramedullary localization. Meningeal melanocytoma is a benign but locally aggressive lesion and is very rarely associated with spinal localizations. This patient presented with paraparesis. Clinical and radiological examinations suggested the possibility of an intramedullary solid tumor. Thoracic laminectomy, posterior myelotomy, and tumor resection were performed; the mass was totally removed. The patient suffered no additional neurological deficit. During a 3-year follow-up period in which radiotherapy was not performed, the lesion did not recur. Total excision of the tumor is the best therapeutic option.

Gamma knife surgery for glomus jugulare tumors: an intermediate report on efficacy and safety

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Sheehan ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
John Flickinger ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Glomus Jugulare ◽  
Cranial Nerve Palsies ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Glomus jugulare tumors are rare tumors that commonly involve the middle ear, temporal bone, and lower cranial nerves. Resection, embolization, and radiation therapy have been the mainstays of treatment. Despite these therapies, tumor control can be difficult to achieve particularly without undo risk of patient morbidity or mortality. The authors examine the safety and efficacy of gamma knife surgery (GKS) for glomus jugulare tumors. Methods. A retrospective review was undertaken of the results obtained in eight patients who underwent GKS for recurrent, residual, or unresectable glomus jugulare tumors. The median radiosurgical dose to the tumor margin was 15 Gy (range 12–18 Gy). The median clinical follow-up period was 28 months, and the median period for radiological follow up was 32 months. All eight patients demonstrated neurological stability or improvement. No cranial nerve palsies arose or deteriorated after GKS. In the seven patients in whom radiographic follow up was obtained, the tumor size decreased in four and remained stable in three. Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery would seem to afford effective local tumor control and preserves neurological function in patients with glomus jugulare tumors. If long-term results with GKS are equally efficacious, the role of stereotactic radiosurgery will expand.

Risk of injury to cranial nerves after gamma knife radiosurgery for skull base meningiomas: experience in 88 patients

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akio Morita ◽  
Robert J. Coffey ◽  
Robert L. Foote ◽  
David Schiff ◽  
Deborah Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Median Dose ◽  
Trigeminal Neuropathy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skull Base Meningiomas ◽  
Fine Print

Object. In this study the authors sought to determine the neurological risks and potential clinical benefits of gamma knife radiosurgery for skull base meningiomas.Methods. A consecutive series of 88 patients harboring skull base meningiomas were treated between 1990 and 1996 by using the Leksell gamma knife in a prospective clinical study that included a strict dose—volume protocol. Forty-nine patients had previously undergone surgery, and six had received external-beam radiotherapy. The median treatment volume was 10 cm3, and the median dose to the tumor margin was 16 Gy. The radiosurgical dosage to the optic nerve, the cavernous sinus, and Meckel's cave was calculated and correlated with clinical outcome. The median patient follow-up time was 35 months (range 12–83 months).Two tumors (2.3%) progressed after radiosurgery; the progression-free 5-year survival rate was 95%. At last follow-up review, 60 (68%) tumors were smaller and 26 (29.5%) remained unchanged. Clinical improvement (in vision, trigeminal pain, or other cranial nerve symptoms) occurred in 15 patients. Functioning optic nerves received a median dose of 10 Gy (range 1–16 Gy), and no treatment-induced visual loss occurred. Among nine patients with new trigeminal neuropathy, six received doses of more than 19 Gy to Meckel's cave.Conclusions. Gamma knife radiosurgery appeared to be an effective method to control the growth of most skull base meningiomas in this intermediate-term study. The risk of trigeminal neuropathy seemed to be associated with doses of more than 19 Gy, and the optic apparatus appeared to tolerate doses greater than 10 Gy. Considering the risks to cranial nerves associated with open surgery for comparable tumors, the authors believe that gamma knife radiosurgery is a useful method for the management of properly selected recurrent, residual, or newly diagnosed skull base meningiomas.

Evaluation of gamma thalamotomy for parkinsonian and other tremors: survival of neurons adjacent to the thalamic lesion after gamma thalamotomy

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Ohye ◽  
Tohru Shibazaki ◽  
Junji Ishihara ◽  
Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Reaction ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Thalamic Lesion ◽  
Mr Images ◽  
Unsatisfactory Result ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rhythmic Discharge ◽  
Latent Interval ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The effects of gamma thalamotomy for parkinsonian and other kinds of tremor were evaluated. Methods. Thirty-six thalamotomies were performed in 31 patients by using a 4-mm collimator. The maximum dose was 150 Gy in the initial six cases, which was reduced to 130 Gy thereafter. The longest follow-up period was 6 years. The target was determined on T2-weighted and proton magnetic resonance (MR) images. The point chosen was in the lateral-most part of the thalamic ventralis intermedius nucleus. This is in keeping with open thalamotomy as practiced at the authors' institution. In 15 cases, gamma thalamotomy was the first surgical procedure. In other cases, previous therapeutic or vascular lesions were visible to facilitate targeting. Two types of tissue reaction were onserved on MR imaging: a simple oval shape and a complex irregular shape. Neither of these changes affected the clinical course. In the majority of cases, the tremor subsided after a latent interval of approximately 1 year after irradiation. The earliest response was demonstrated at 3 months. In five cases the tremor remained. In four of these cases, a second radiation session was administered. One of these four patients as well as another patient with an unsatisfactory result underwent open thalamotomy with microrecording. In both cases, depth recording adjacent to the necrotic area revealed normal neuronal activity, including the rhythmic discharge of tremor. Minor coagulation was performed and resulted in immediate and complete arrest of the remaining tremor. Conclusions. Gamma thalamotomy for Parkinson's disease seems to be an alternative useful method in selected cases.

Gamma knife radiosurgery as a single treatment modality for large cerebral arteriovenous malformations

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hung-Chi Pan ◽  
Wan-Yuo Guo ◽  
Wen-Yuh Chung ◽  
Cheng-Ying Shiau ◽  
Yue-Cune Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Obliteration Rate ◽  
Complete Obliteration ◽  
Fine Print

Object. A consecutive series of 240 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) between March 1993 and March 1999 was evaluated to assess the efficacy and safety of radiosurgery for cerebral AVMs larger than 10 cm3 in volume. Methods. Seventy-six patients (32%) had AVM nidus volumes of more than 10 cm3. During radiosurgery, targeting and delineation of AVM nidi were based on integrated stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and x-ray angiography. The radiation treatment was performed using multiple small isocenters to improve conformity of the treatment volume. The mean dose inside the nidus was kept between 20 Gy and 24 Gy. The margin dose ranged between 15 to 18 Gy placed at the 55 to 60% isodose centers. Follow up ranged from 12 to 73 months. There was complete obliteration in 24 patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3 and in 91 patients with an AVM volume of less than 10 cm3. The latency for complete obliteration in larger-volume AVMs was significantly longer. In Kaplan—Meier analysis, the complete obliteration rate in 40 months was 77% in AVMs with volumes between 10 to 15 cm3, as compared with 25% for AVMs with a volume of more than 15 cm3. In the latter, the obliteration rate had increased to 58% at 50 months. The follow-up MR images revealed that large-volume AVMs had higher incidences of postradiosurgical edema, petechiae, and hemorrhage. The bleeding rate before cure was 9.2% (seven of 76) for AVMs with a volume exceeding 10 cm3, and 1.8% (three of 164) for AVMs with a volume less than 10 cm3. Although focal edema was more frequently found in large AVMs, most of the cases were reversible. Permanent neurological complications were found in 3.9% (three of 76) of the patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3, 3.8% (three of 80) of those with AVM volume of 3 to 10 cm3, and 2.4% (two of 84) of those with an AVM volume less than 3 cm3. These differences in complications rate were not significant. Conclusions. Recent improvement of radiosurgery in conjunction with stereotactic MR targeting and multiplanar dose planning has permitted the treatment of larger AVMs. It is suggested that gamma knife radiosurgery is effective for treating AVMs as large as 30 cm3 in volume with an acceptable risk.

Factors related to complete occlusion of arteriovenous malformations after gamma knife radiosurgery

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 96-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Hee Chang ◽  
Jin Woo Chang ◽  
Yong Gou Park ◽  
Sang Sup Chung
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complete Occlusion ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Martin Grade ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors sought to evaluate the effects of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) on cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and the factors associated with complete occlusion. Methods. A total of 301 radiosurgical procedures for 277 cerebral AVMs were performed between December 1988 and December 1999. Two hundred seventy-eight lesions in 254 patients who were treated with GKS from May 1992 to December 1999 were analyzed. Several clinical and radiological parameters were evaluated. Conclusions. The total obliteration rate for the cases with an adequate radiological follow up of more than 2 years was 78.9%. In multivariate analysis, maximum diameter, angiographically delineated shape of the AVM nidus, and the number of draining veins significantly influenced the result of radiosurgery. In addition, margin radiation dose, Spetzler—Martin grade, and the flow pattern of the AVM nidus also had some influence on the outcome. In addition to the size, topography, and radiosurgical parameters of AVMs, it would seem to be necessary to consider the angioarchitectural and hemodynamic aspects to select proper candidates for radiosurgery.

Gamma knife surgery for vestibular schwannoma: 10-year experience of 195 cases

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Yuh Chung ◽  
Kang-Du Liu ◽  
Cheng-Ying Shiau ◽  
Hsiu-Mei Wu ◽  
Ling-Wei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Vestibular Schwannoma ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Radiation Effect ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors conducted a study to determine the optimal radiation dose for vestibular schwannoma (VS) and to examine the histopathology in cases of treatment failure for better understanding of the effects of irradiation. Methods. A retrospective study was performed of 195 patients with VS; there were 113 female and 82 male patients whose mean age was 51 years (range 11–82 years). Seventy-two patients (37%) had undergone partial or total excision of their tumor prior to gamma knife surgery (GKS). The mean tumor volume was 4.1 cm3 (range 0.04–23.1 cm3). Multiisocenter dose planning placed a prescription dose of 11 to 18.2 Gy on the 50 to 94% isodose located at the tumor margin. Clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging follow-up evaluations were performed every 6 months. A loss of central enhancement was demonstrated on MR imaging in 69.5% of the patients. At the latest MR imaging assessment decreased or stable tumor volume was demonstrated in 93.6% of the patients. During a median follow-up period of 31 months resection was avoided in 96.8% of cases. Uncontrolled tumor swelling was noted in five patients at 3.5, 17, 24, 33, and 62 months after GKS, respectively. Twelve of 20 patients retained serviceable hearing. Two patients experienced a temporary facial palsy. Two patients developed a new trigeminal neuralgia. There was no treatment-related death. Histopathological examination of specimens in three cases (one at 62 months after GKS) revealed a long-lasting radiation effect on vessels inside the tumor. Conclusions. Radiosurgery had a long-term radiation effect on VSs for up to 5 years. A margin 12-Gy dose with homogeneous distribution is effective in preventing tumor progression, while posing no serious threat to normal cranial nerve function.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of acoustic neuromas

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement3) ◽  
pp. 362-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Selch ◽  
Alessandro Pedroso ◽  
Steve P. Lee ◽  
Timothy D. Solberg ◽  
Nzhde Agazaryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Radiotherapy ◽  
Tumor Size ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Seventh Cranial Nerve ◽  
Acoustic Neuromas ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors sought to assess the safety and efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy when using a linear accelerator equipped with a micromultileaf collimator for the treatment of patients with acoustic neuromas. Methods. Fifty patients harboring acoustic neuromas were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy between September 1997 and June 2003. Two patients were lost to follow-up review. Patient age ranged from 20 to 76 years (median 59 years), and none had neurofibromatosis. Forty-two patients had useful hearing prior to stereotactic radiotherapy. The fifth and seventh cranial nerve functions were normal in 44 and 46 patients, respectively. Tumor volume ranged from 0.3 to 19.25 ml (median 2.51 ml). The largest tumor dimension varied from 0.6 to 4 cm (median 2.2 cm). Treatment planning in all patients included computerized tomography and magnetic resonance image fusion and beam shaping by using a micromultileaf collimator. The planning target volume included the contrast-enhancing tumor mass and a margin of normal tissue varying from 1 to 3 mm (median 2 mm). All tumors were treated with 6-MV photons and received 54 Gy prescribed at the 90% isodose line encompassing the planning target volume. A sustained increase greater than 2 mm in any tumor dimension was defined as local relapse. The follow-up duration varied from 6 to 74 months (median 36 months). The local tumor control rate in the 48 patients available for follow up was 100%. Central tumor hypodensity occurred in 32 patients (67%) at a median of 6 months following stereotactic radiotherapy. In 12 patients (25%), tumor size increased 1 to 2 mm at a median of 6 months following stereotactic radiotherapy. Increased tumor size in six of these patients was transient. In 13 patients (27%), tumor size decreased 1 to 14 mm at a median of 6 months after treatment. Useful hearing was preserved in 39 patients (93%). New facial numbness occurred in one patient (2.2%) with normal fifth cranial nerve function prior to stereotactic radiotherapy. New facial palsy occurred in one patient (2.1%) with normal seventh cranial nerve function prior to treatment. No patient's pretreatment dysfunction of the fifth or seventh cranial nerve worsened after stereotactic radiotherapy. Tinnitus improved in six patients and worsened in two. Conclusions. Stereotactic radiotherapy using field shaping for the treatment of acoustic neuromas achieves high rates of tumor control and preservation of useful hearing. The technique produces low rates of damage to the fifth and seventh cranial nerves. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

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