[Hypofractionation. A method for stereotaxic radiation of major brain lesions with linear accelerator]

Fifteen patients with brain tumours or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) underwent hypofractionated stereotactic irradiation, 2-5 fractions being delivered using a linear accelerator and a non-invasive stereotactic frame. Results of the treatment of brain metastases were comparable with those reported for single fraction radiosurgery. With the AVMs, the rate of obliteration would seem to be slower than that after radiosurgery, perhaps because the irradiated volumes in our study were significantly larger than those treated with radiosurgery. An advantage of hypofractionated stereotactic irradiation is that larger brain lesions can be treated than is appropriate with radiosurgery.