Gamma Knife radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients

The authors present the results of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery performed in a series of children with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

Between June 2005 and January 2014, 75 patients 18 years old or younger received Gamma Knife radiosurgery for AVMs. Of these, 58 patients were eligible for further analysis. The median age of the population was 12 years; 41% presented with hemorrhage, 34% with neurological insult, and 24% patients were diagnosed incidentally. The median AVM volume was 3.5 cm(3). The median radiosurgery-based AVM score (RSBAVMS) was 0.86. The median follow-up period was 32 months.

Single session Gamma Knife radiosurgery resulted in complete AVM obliteration in 40 (68.9%) patients. There were 35 (60.3%) excellent outcome (complete obliteration with no new deficits) in this series. During the follow-up period, nine (15.51%) patients experienced new deficits and three (5.1%) patients experienced intracranial hemorrhage. The annual rate of developing new deficits and hemorrhage was calculated as 5.45 and 1.8%, respectively. Volume, gender, RSBAVMS, and nidus type factor were factors associated with excellent outcome.

Radiosurgery was successful in majority of patients with minimal morbidity. Gamma Knife radiosurgery for AVMs can be a safe and successful method in pediatric patients.