Effect of radiosurgery using Leksell gamma unit on metastatic brain tumor--autopsy case report

A 77-year-old male presented with gradual development of right hemiparesis. Postcontrast computed tomography (CT) revealed enhanced lesions in the left parietal and right paraventricular areas. Stereotactic brain biopsy led to a histological diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma. The lesions were treated by radiosurgery using the Leksell gamma unit. CT showed reduced size of the lesions after irradiation. The primary lesion could not be found and he died from pneumonia. Autopsy 3 weeks after the irradiation disclosed histological tumor necrosis, with greater tumor cell kill effects toward the center of the tumor.