• Seong-Hyun Park, Ki-Su Park, Dong-Hun Kang, Jeong-Hyun Hwang, and Sung-Kyoo Hwang.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea. Electronic address: nsdoctor@naver.com.
• World Neurosurg. 2017 Oct 1; 106: 836-843.

ObjectiveWe reviewed our 7-year experience to assess the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for dural carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs). We analyzed the clinical outcome, complications, and angiographic results.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 18 consecutive patients with DCCFs treated by SRS alone using Gamma Knife between 2009 and 2015. Median target volume was 2.6 cm3 (range, 0.6-11.6 cm3), and median radiation dose to the target was 17 Gy (range, 14-19 Gy). Median follow-up period was 30 months (range, 6-65 months).ResultsFifteen patients (83%) achieved total obliteration of the DCCF, and a subtotal obliteration of the DCCF was achieved in 3 patients (17%). Total obliteration rates after SRS were 53% at 1 year and 90% at 2 years. Twelve patients (67%) showed complete recovery from symptoms or signs, and 6 patients (33%) showed incomplete recovery. Improvement rates of neurologic function after SRS were 56% at 1 month, 72% at 3 months, and 94% at 6 months. None of the patients experienced radiation-related complications. A univariate analysis revealed that absence of hypertension (P = 0.025), seizure (P = 0.025), and cortical venous drainage (P = 0.013) were significantly associated with symptoms improvement.ConclusionsSRS for DCCFs offered a high obliteration rate with low risk of radiation-induced complications. In patients with benign DCCFs that are not amenable to embolization or microsurgery, SRS is a safe and effective treatment for complete obliteration of the arteriovenous shunt and for improving quality of life.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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