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Can Trigeminal Schwannoma-Related Symptoms be Controlled With Gamma Knife Radiosurgery?
Yuwhan Chung1, Man Kyu Choi1, Chang Kyu Park1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
The effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for the management of trigeminal schwannomas (TS) has been established. Although GKRS has been shown to inhibit tumor growth, the effect of GKRS on the symptoms caused by TS has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, symptomatic changes following GKRS for the management of symptomatic TS were investigated using long-term follow-up results.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on 32 patients with TS who underwent GKRS between May 1994 and December 2016. Clinical charts, radiographic results, and surgical records were reviewed. To evaluate whether symptoms improved after GKRS, patient demographics, GKRS profile, radiological tumor size change, and tumor location were analyzed.
Results:
Tumor control after GKRS for symptomatic TS was 87%. The improvement rates for facial pain at 6, 12, and 24 months after GKRS were 46%, 72%, and 86%, respectively. For the same time intervals, facial hypesthesia improved by 12%, 46%, and 52%, respectively. Of the patients with diplopia, 17% had improved symptoms 12 months after GKRS, and 50% of the patients improved after 24 months.
Conclusions:
GKRS can be an effective treatment modality for TS tumor control and shows favorable results in improving TS-related symptom, especially facial pain.
Insights
Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) effectively controls trigeminal schwannomas (TS). GKRS also significantly improves TS-related symptoms, particularly facial pain, offering favorable long-term relief.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Trigeminal schwannomas (TS) are rare tumors affecting cranial nerves.
- Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a known treatment for tumor control.
- The impact of GKRS on TS-related symptoms requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of GKRS in managing symptomatic trigeminal schwannomas.
- To assess long-term symptomatic changes following GKRS treatment for TS.
- To analyze the correlation between GKRS and symptom improvement in TS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 32 patients with TS treated with GKRS (1994-2016).
- Review of clinical charts, radiographic results, and surgical records.
- Analysis of patient demographics, GKRS parameters, tumor size changes, and location to assess symptom improvement.
Main Results:
- 87% tumor control rate was achieved with GKRS for symptomatic TS.
- Significant improvement in facial pain was observed: 46% at 6 months, 72% at 12 months, and 86% at 24 months.
- Facial hypesthesia and diplopia showed improvement rates of up to 52% and 50% respectively at 24 months.
Conclusions:
- GKRS is an effective treatment for trigeminal schwannoma tumor control.
- GKRS demonstrates favorable long-term outcomes in alleviating TS-related symptoms, especially facial pain.
- GKRS offers a viable therapeutic option for symptomatic management of trigeminal schwannomas.
