Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Gamma knife radiosurgery for tumors involving the cavernous sinus
A-Li Liu1, Chungcheng Wang, Shibing Sun
1Gamma Knife Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China. alilius@public3.bta.net.cn
Objective:
To study the features of diagnosis and radiosurgery of tumors involving the cavernous sinus.
Methods:
From December 1994 to the end of 2000, 175 patients with cavernous sinus lesions were treated by Leksell gamma knife (GK) in our Institute. Ninety patients (51.4%) had had open surgery previously. Our experience of treating cavernous sinus tumors by GK was analyzed retrospectively.
Results:
A Hundred and forty-four (82.3%) patients were followed from 1 to 84 months (median 32.5 months); total tumor control rate was 94%. Surgery was performed after radiosurgery in 3 patients because of tumor enlargement. Metastatic tumor in the cavernous sinus was highly sensitive to irradiation. These lesions shrunk markedly on MRI 2-3 months after GK surgery. The median survival time was 12.2 months, and patients died of noncavernous sinus lesions.
Conclusion:
With high tumor control rate and few complications, GK surgery could become a main option for small benign or residual tumors involving the cavernous sinus. It is also very useful as part of comprehensive therapy for metastatic tumors in the cavernous sinus.
