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
Analyzing 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging units for implementation in radiosurgery.
The limiting factor affecting accuracy during gamma knife surgery is image quality. The new generation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging units with field strength up to 3 teslas promise superior image quality for anatomical resolution and contrast. There are, however, questions about chemical shifts or susceptibility effects, which are the subject of this paper. ⋯ The 3-tesla imaging unit showed superior anatomical contrast and resolution in comparison with the established 1-tesla and 1.5-tesla units; however, due to the high field strength the field within the head coil is very sensitive to inhomogeneities and therefore 3-tesla imaging data will have be handled with care.
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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
Case ReportsTemporary symptomatic swelling of meningiomas following gamma knife surgery. Report of two cases.
In two patients in whom gamma knife surgery was performed for meningiomas clinically significant volume increases were observed in the first 3 months after treatment. Clinical examination and various imaging studies form the basis of the report in these patients. In each case, the volume increase was temporary.