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Gamma knife radiosurgery in 11 hemangioblastomas
M Niemelä1, Y J Lim, M Söderman
1Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Gamma knife radiosurgery effectively treats brain hemangioblastomas, with lower doses (10-15 Gy) recommended. Adjoining cysts often require separate treatment after radiosurgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hemangioblastomas are vascular tumors often associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease.
- Radiosurgery offers a minimally invasive treatment option for these tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of gamma knife radiosurgery for treating hemangioblastomas.
- To determine optimal radiation doses and assess the management of associated cysts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 11 hemangioblastomas in 10 patients treated between 1978 and 1993.
- Varying margin doses (median 25 Gy pre-1990, median 10 Gy post-1990) were administered.
- Follow-up included imaging (CT/MRI) with a median of 26 months.
Main Results:
- Solid tumor components showed shrinkage in 6/11 hemangioblastomas.
- Four tumors remained unchanged; adjoining cysts often required evacuation.
- One patient developed radiation-induced edema requiring intervention.
Conclusions:
- Solitary hemangioblastomas typically respond well to radiosurgery, with shrinkage or growth arrest.
- A recommended margin dose of 10-15 Gy is suggested for effective treatment.
- Cystic components associated with hemangioblastomas frequently necessitate separate management post-radiosurgery.