Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 20, 2025
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Stereotactic gamma knife radiosurgery for orbital cavernous hemangioma: clinical outcome and visual function
Hsien-Chung Chen1,2, Chaur-Jong Hu2,3,4,5, David Hung-Chi Pan6,7
1Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, No. 291, Zhongzheng Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan.
Purpose:
Although rare, orbital cavernous hemangioma (OCH) is the most common benign orbital neoplasm in adults and may cause vision disturbance or loss due to optic nerve compression. The conventional treatment is surgical excision, which carries a risk of intraoperative nerve damage, whereas gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) can be a safe and effective alternative. Herein, we report the results of four patients with OCH treated with GKRS, and describe the method of treatment including the optic nerve protection.
Methods:
This retrospective study included four consecutive patients (three women, one man; mean age: 50 ± 14.7 years) with OCH treated with single-session GKRS between 2014 and 2020. Three patients had decreased visual acuity. During GKRS, the prescription dose delivered to the tumor margin was 12 Gy at the 55-58% isodose line. The dose to the optic nerve margin was < 12 Gy. Follow-up included sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ophthalmological examinations at 6-month intervals.
Results:
The median follow-up period was 29.5 ± 23 months (range, 12-63 months). After GKRS, three patients with visual dysfunction had substantial vision improvement; the fourth patient continued to have normal vision without deterioration. Radiological outcomes after GKRS indicated an average tumor shrinkage of 70% ± 10.6% at the 6-month follow-up and 83% ± 2.64% at the 1-year follow-up. No adverse radiation effects were observed.
Conclusions:
GKRS for OCH achieved favorable clinical outcomes, with substantial tumor volume reduction. OCH can be diagnosed based on characteristic MRI findings. GKRS may be considered a treatment option for OCH in selected cases.
