Hemorrhage risks and obliteration rates of arteriovenous malformations after gamma knife radiosurgery

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 474-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi K. Inoue ◽  
Chihiro Ohye

Object. The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk of hemorrhage and the obliteration rate after treatment of patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Methods. Between 1991 and 1995, 115 patients were treated using gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS). Surgical planning was based on angiograms and three-dimensional images. The angiographic features of the AVMs and the risk factors for hemorrhage were then evaluated. Hemorrhages occurred in eight patients (7%) 7 to 42 months after GKS. Based on AVM morphology, the rates of hemorrhage were five (7.6%) of 66 for AVMs with a single draining vein, seven (14%) of 66 for AVMs with deep drainage, four (26.7%) of 15 for AVMs with a varix, four (28.6%) of 14 for AVMs with venous obstruction, eight (17.0%) of 47 for high-flow (shunt- and mixed-type) AVMs, and five (35.7%) of 14 for large AVMs with a volume of more than 10 cm3. No hemorrhages were observed in association with low-flow (moyamoya-type) AVMs in this series. Total AVM obliteration was achieved in 81.3% of 80 patients who underwent angiography. The obliteration rate was 91.3% for moyamoya-type AVMs and 67.6% for shunt- and mixed-type AVMs. Early obliteration within 12 months was achieved in 63% of the moyamoya-type AVMs. Conclusions. Moyamoya-type AVMs seem to be at risk for post-GKS hemorrhage. Intravascular embolization should be considered prior to GKS for mixed- and shunt-type AVMs in an attempt to reduce the hemodynamic stress and thereby decrease the risk of hemorrhage.

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 ◽  
...  

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.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 96-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Hee Chang ◽  
Jin Woo Chang ◽  
Yong Gou Park ◽  
Sang Sup Chung

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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 34-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Izawa ◽  
Motohiro Hayashi ◽  
Mikhail Chernov ◽  
Koutarou Nakaya ◽  
Taku Ochiai ◽  
...  

Object. The authors analyzed of the long-term complications that occur 2 or more years after gamma knife surgery (GKS) for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Methods. Patients with previously untreated intracranial AVMs that were managed by GKS and followed for at least 2 years after treatment were selected for analysis (237 cases). Complete AVM obliteration was attained in 130 cases (54.9%), and incomplete obliteration in 107 cases (45.1%). Long-term complications were observed in 22 patients (9.3%). These complications included hemorrhage (eight cases), delayed cyst formation (eight cases), increase of seizure frequency (four cases), and middle cerebral artery stenosis and increased white matter signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (one case of each). The long-term complications were associated with larger nidus volume (p < 0.001) and a lobar location of the AVM (p < 0.01). Delayed hemorrhage was associated only with incomplete obliteration of the nidus (p < 0.05). Partial obliteration conveyed no benefit. Delayed cyst formation was associated with a higher maximal GKS dose (p < 0.001), larger nidus volume (p < 0.001), complete nidus obliteration (p < 0.01), and a lobar location of the AVM (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Incomplete obliteration of the nidus is the most important factor associated with delayed hemorrhagic complications. Partial obliteration does not seem to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. Complete obliteration can be complicated by delayed cyst formation, especially if high maximal treatment doses have been administered.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 104-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Kwon ◽  
Sang Ryong Jeon ◽  
Jeong Hoon Kim ◽  
Jung Kyo Lee ◽  
Dong Sook Ra ◽  
...  

Object. The authors sought to analyze causes for treatment failure following gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), in cases in which the nidus could still be observed on angiography 3 years postsurgery. Methods. Four hundred fifteen patients with AVMs were treated with GKS between April 1990 and March 2000. The mean margin dose was 23.6 Gy (range 10–25 Gy), and the mean nidus volume was 5.3 cm3 (range 0.4–41.7 cm3). The KULA treatment planning system and conventional subtraction angiography were used in treatment planning. One hundred twenty-three of these 415 patients underwent follow-up angiography after GKS. After 3 years the nidus was totally obliterated in 98 patients (80%) and partial obliteration was noted in the remaining 25. There were several reasons why complete obliteration was not achieved in all cases: inadequate nidus definition in four patients, changes in the size and location of the nidus in five patients due to recanalization after embolization or reexpansion after hematoma reabsorption, a large AVM volume in five patients, a suboptimal radiation dose to the thalamic and basal ganglia in eight patients, and radioresistance in three patients with an intranidal fistula. Conclusions. The causes of failed GKS for treatment of AVMs seen on 3-year follow-up angiograms include inadequate nidus definition, large nidus volume, suboptimal radiation dose, recanalization/reexpansion, and radioresistance associated with an intranidal fistula.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 471-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Ho Pik Lai ◽  
Samuel Leung Cheong Lun

Object. The aim of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) receiving gamma knife treatment before total AVM obliteration. Quality of life was assessed as it related to the knowledge of rebleeding risk during the waiting period, AVM symptoms, and previous bleeding. Methods. Thirty-nine patients age 18 years or older without other medical problems were asked to complete a questionnaire that included demographic variables, immediate effect of gamma knife radiosurgery, symptoms of AVM, previous hemorrhage, and the Duke—University of North Carolina Health Profile (63 items). Conclusions. The QOL of patients with cerebral AVM during the waiting period after undergoing gamma knife treatment was affected by irreversible physical disabilities rather than the knowledge of hemorrhage risk and bleeding experience.


1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard F. Schneider ◽  
David A. Eberhard ◽  
Ladislau E. Steiner

✓ Stereotactic radiosurgery effectively obliterates many arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Hemodynamic changes in AVMs after radiosurgery have been illustrated using magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, but there have been no detailed reports describing the underlying histopathological changes. This study examines AVMs at various times after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and describes the histopathological changes that lead to vessel occlusion. The authors examined nine AVM specimens obtained 10 months to more than 5 years after GKRS, by using routine histopathological stains as well as immunohistochemical techniques to detect smooth-muscle actin, factor VIII, and type IV collagen. Blood vessels within the AVMs showed progressive changes leading to narrowing or obliteration of the lumen. The earliest changes after gamma knife irradiation appear to be damage to endothelial cells, followed by progressive thickening of the intimal layer caused by proliferation of smooth-muscle cells that elaborate an extracellular matrix that includes type IV collagen. Finally, cellular degeneration and hyaline transformation occur. For statistical correlation analyses, the specimens were graded according to the degree of histopathological change and the relative number of vessels showing such changes. Both of these parameters were significantly correlated with time after GKRS and with AVM size reduction shown on follow-up imaging studies. Gamma knife radiosurgery of AVMs causes endothelial damage, which induces the proliferation of smooth-muscle cells and the elaboration of extracellular collagen by these cells, which leads to progressive stenosis and obliteration of the AVM nidus. This series of pathological changes in AVMs after GKRS is essentially similar to the response-to-injury model of atherosclerosis.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 34-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Izawa ◽  
Motohiro Hayashi ◽  
Mikhail Chernov ◽  
Koutarou Nakaya ◽  
Taku Ochiai ◽  
...  

Object. The authors analyzed of the long-term complications that occur 2 or more years after gamma knife surgery (GKS) for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Methods. Patients with previously untreated intracranial AVMs that were managed by GKS and followed for at least 2 years after treatment were selected for analysis (237 cases). Complete AVM obliteration was attained in 130 cases (54.9%), and incomplete obliteration in 107 cases (45.1%). Long-term complications were observed in 22 patients (9.3%). These complications included hemorrhage (eight cases), delayed cyst formation (eight cases), increase of seizure frequency (four cases), and middle cerebral artery stenosis and increased white matter signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (one case of each). The long-term complications were associated with larger nidus volume (p < 0.001) and a lobar location of the AVM (p < 0.01). Delayed hemorrhage was associated only with incomplete obliteration of the nidus (p < 0.05). Partial obliteration conveyed no benefit. Delayed cyst formation was associated with a higher maximal GKS dose (p < 0.001), larger nidus volume (p < 0.001), complete nidus obliteration (p < 0.01), and a lobar location of the AVM (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Incomplete obliteration of the nidus is the most important factor associated with delayed hemorrhagic complications. Partial obliteration does not seem to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. Complete obliteration can be complicated by delayed cyst formation, especially if high maximal treatment doses have been administered.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 102-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Massager ◽  
Jean Régis ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
Théodore Njee ◽  
Marc Levivier

Object. This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) located within the brainstem. Methods. The results of GKS performed in 87 patients with brainstem AVMs at two centers with experienced physicians are reviewed. The mean patient age was 37 years and the population included 19 children. The male/female ratio was 56:31. The malformation was located in the upper brainstem in 52 patients. Seventy-four percent of the patients had suffered a hemorrhage before GKS. For 70% of the patients no other treatment had been proposed before GKS. The mean AVM volume was 1.3 cm3. The lesions were treated with one to eight isocenters, with a margin dose ranging between 11.5 Gy and 30 Gy. The mean clinical follow-up period was 3.2 years. Ninety-five percent of the patients improved or remained neurologically stable. Rebleeding occurred in three patients at 3, 6, and 16 months, respectively, after GKS. Two patients in whom rebleeding occured recovered, and one died. The AVM obliteration rate was 63% at 2 years and 73% at 3 years after GKS. A second GKS was performed in six patients in whom only partial obliteration was demonstrated on angiography 3 years after the first procedure. Conclusions. Gamma knife radiosurgery may be a valuable first-choice therapy for the treatment of AVMs located within the brainstem.


1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomio Sasaki ◽  
Hiroki Kurita ◽  
Isamu Saito ◽  
Shunsuke Kawamoto ◽  
Shigeru Nemoto ◽  
...  

Object. Because arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the basal ganglia and thalamus are difficult to treat, the authors conducted a retrospective study to determine the best management strategy for these lesions. Methods. The authors reviewed the management and outcome in 101 patients with AVMs treated between 1971 and 1995. In 15 conservatively treated patients, hemorrhage occurred in 71.4% (annual rate 11.4%), and the morbidity and mortality rates were 7.1% and 42.9%, respectively, during a mean follow-up period of 6.6 years. Total microsurgical resection was performed in 15 patients with no mortality resulting, but motor function deteriorated permanently in three of them (20%). Postoperative morbidity correlated well with the location of the AVM and with preoperative motor function. In cases of lenticular AVMs without motor weakness, a postoperative decrease in motor function was significantly more common than in the remaining patients. In patients with motor weakness before surgery, AVMs in the thalamus or caudate nucleus were successfully resected. Among 66 patients treated with gamma knife radiosurgery, three had permanent radiation-induced neurological deficits, and three others experienced bleeding (new bleeding in one case and rebleeding in two). The treatment-associated morbidity rate was 6.7%, and the actuarial rate of complete obliteration was 85.7% at 2.5 years. In five patients treated with embolization alone, the morbidity and mortality rates associated with the procedure or bleeding were 40% and 20%, respectively. The morbidity and mortality rates in the pre—gamma knife era were 22.2% and 22.2%, whereas those for the post-gamma knife era are currently 10.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusions. These results indicate that conservatively treated AVMs are more likely to bleed and thus produce a high incidence of patient mortality. Multimodal treatment including radiosurgery, microsurgery, and embolization improved clinical outcomes by making it possible to treat difficult cases successfully.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 68-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Hugues Roche ◽  
Jean Régis ◽  
Henry Dufour ◽  
Henri-Dominique Fournier ◽  
Christine Delsanti ◽  
...  

Object. The authors sought to assess the functional tolerance and tumor control rate of cavernous sinus meningiomas treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS). Methods. Between July 1992 and October 1998, 92 patients harboring benign cavernous sinus meningiomas underwent GKS. The present study is concerned with the first 80 consecutive patients (63 women and 17 men). Gamma knife radiosurgery was performed as an alternative to surgical removal in 50 cases and as an adjuvant to microsurgery in 30 cases. The mean patient age was 49 years (range 6–71 years). The mean tumor volume was 5.8 cm3 (range 0.9–18.6 cm3). On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging the tumor was confined in 66 cases and extensive in 14 cases. The mean prescription dose was 28 Gy (range 12–50 Gy), delivered with an average of eight isocenters (range two–18). The median peripheral isodose was 50% (range 30–70%). Patients were evaluated at 6 months, and at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 years after GKS. The median follow-up period was 30.5 months (range 12–79 months). Tumor stabilization after GKS was noted in 51 patients, tumor shrinkage in 25 patients, and enlargement in four patients requiring surgical removal in two cases. The 5-year actuarial progression-free survival was 92.8%. No new oculomotor deficit was observed. Among the 54 patients with oculomotor nerve deficits, 15 improved, eight recovered, and one worsened. Among the 13 patients with trigeminal neuralgia, one worsened (contemporary of tumor growing), five remained unchanged, four improved, and three recovered. In a patient with a remnant surrounding the optic nerve and preoperative low vision (3/10) the decision was to treat the lesion and deliberately sacrifice the residual visual acuity. Only one transient unexpected optic neuropathy has been observed. One case of delayed intracavernous carotid artery occlusion occurred 3 months after GKS, without permanent deficit. Another patient presented with partial complex seizures 18 months after GKS. All cases of tumor growth and neurological deficits observed after GKS occurred before the use of GammaPlan. Since the initiation of systematic use of stereotactic MR imaging and computer-assisted modern dose planning, no more side effects or cases of tumor growth have occurred. Conclusions. Gamma knife radiosurgery was found to be an effective low morbidity—related tool for the treatment of cavernous sinus meningioma. In a significant number of patients, oculomotor functional restoration was observed. The treatment appears to be an alternative to surgical removal of confined enclosed cavernous sinus meningioma and should be proposed as an adjuvant to surgery in case of extensive meningiomas.


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