Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Case ReportsMechanisms of edema after gamma knife surgery for meningiomas. Report of two cases.
The authors describe two patients in whom tumor swelling and brain swelling (and possible tumor swelling), respectively, developed after undergoing gamma knife surgery. One had a skull defect with a palpable parasagittal tumor. One had neurofibromatosis Type 2 with multiple tumors, one of which was parasagittal.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Case ReportsGamma knife surgery of the pituitary: new treatment for thalamic pain syndrome.
Although reports in the literature indicate that thalamic pain syndrome can be controlled with chemical hypophysectomy, this procedure is associated with transient diabetes insipidus. It was considered reasonable to attempt gamma knife surgery (GKS) to the pituitary gland to control thalamic pain. ⋯ An initial significant pain reduction was observed in 13 (76.5%) of 17 patients. Some patients experienced pain reduction within 48 hours of treatment. Persistent pain relief for more than 1 year was observed in five (38.5%) of 13 patients. Rapid recurrence of pain in fewer than 3 months was observed in four (30.8%) of 13 patients. The only complication was transient diabetes insipidus in one patient. It would seem that GKS of the pituitary might have a role to play in thalamic pain arising after a stroke.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Outpatient gamma knife surgery for vestibular schwannoma: definition of the therapeutic profile based on a 10-year experience.
The purpose of the study was to define the therapeutic profile of outpatient gamma knife surgery (GKS) for vestibular schwannoma (VS) by using sequential tumor volumetry to quantify changes following treatment. ⋯ Outpatient GKS is feasible, effective, and safe. Its therapeutic profile compares favorably with that of microsurgery.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Radiosurgery for patients with recurrent small cell lung carcinoma metastatic to the brain: outcomes and prognostic factors.
Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of death from cancer. More than 50% of those with small cell lung cancer develop a brain metastasis. Corticosteroid agents, radiotherapy, and resection have been the mainstays of treatment. Nonetheless, median survival for patients with small cell lung carcinoma metastasis is approximately 4 to 5 months after cranial irradiation. In this study the authors examine the efficacy of gamma knife surgery for treating recurrent small cell lung carcinoma metastases to the brain following tumor growth in patients who have previously undergone radiation therapy, and they evaluate factors affecting survival. ⋯ Stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent small cell lung carcinoma metastases provided effective local tumor control in the majority of patients. Early detection of brain metastases, aggressive treatment of systemic disease, and a therapeutic strategy including radiosurgery can extend survival.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Relative roles of microsurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of patients with cranial meningiomas: a single-surgeon 4-year integrated experience with both modalities.
The authors sought to assess the respective roles of microsurgery and gamma knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of patients with meningiomas. ⋯ Both GKS and microsurgery serve important roles in the overall management of patients with meningiomas. Both are safe and effective and provide high degrees of satisfaction when used for differentially selected patients.