Adverse Radiation Effects Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) is now an established standard of treatment for the small-sized arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), meningiomas, schwannomas, metastasis, and other benign diseases. With an exponential rise in the indications for GKRS, we have witnessed an increase in the adverse radiation effects (ARE) following GKRS. The common AREs and associated risk factors following GKRS have been described for pathologies including vestibular schwannomas, arteriovenous malformations, meningiomas, and metastases based on the authors' experience, and a simplified management protocol has been provided for radiation-induced changes based on clinical and radiologic parameters. The dose, volume, location, and repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are implied as the risk factors for ARE. Clinically symptomatic AREs require oral steroids for weeks to alleviate symptoms. In refractory cases, bevacizumab and surgical resection can be offered as a treatment modality. Appropriate dose planning strategy and hypofractionation for larger lesions help in mitigating the AREs.