[Linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery in treatment of neurosurgical patients]

Radiation methods are essential in management of certain types of neurooncological, neurovascular and functional brain pathology. Application of stereotactic technique of irradiation allows sufficient damaging impact on target (tumor, AVM, functional structures) and maximal protection of surrounding brain tissues. Indications to radiation treatment of intracranial lesions are expanding with evolution of stereotactic methods. The paper deals with the first experience of linear accelerator-based treatment of patients with intracranial neurosurgical pathology in this country. Techniques of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and radiosurgery (SRS), indications to SRS and SRT in different modes of fractioning are described in details. Additionally specific complications, radiation reactions and feasibility of neurovisualization in diagnosis of radiation-induced brain damage are discussed.