Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Tolerance dose in gamma knife surgery of lesions extending to the anterior visual pathway.
The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the radiation dose to the anterior visual pathway (AVP) to assess its tolerance to gamma knife surgery. ⋯ The tolerance dose of the AVP is considered to be less than 8 to 10 Gy; however, although the delivered dose to the AVP definitely exceeded the tolerance dose in all five cases, no visual disturbance has been identified. Longer follow up is required before any final conclusions may be drawn. Nonetheless, it is suggested that a visual disturbance may be avoided by using careful accurate dose planning even if the dose delivered to the AVP is higher than currently believed to be acceptable.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
Does gamma knife surgery stimulate cellular immune response to metastatic brain tumors? A histopathological and immunohistochemical study.
The aim of this study was to analyze the cellular immune response and histopathological changes in secondary brain tumors after gamma knife surgery (GKS). ⋯ Histopathological findings of the present study are consistent with a cellular immune response of natural killer cells against metastatic brain tumors, presumably stimulated by the ionizing energy of focused radiation.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2005
The long-term results of gamma knife radiosurgery for hemangioblastomas of the brain.
The authors assessed the long-term result of gamma knife surgery (GKS) for hemangioblastomas of the brain (HABs) and show histopathological findings after GKS. ⋯ Gamma knife surgery was a useful choice for small- or medium-sized, solid HAB in the long term, especially when the tumor margin dose was 18 Gy. Although GKS can treat multiple tumors in a single session, for HABs associated with VHL disease, GKS faces the dual problems of tumor recurrence or development of a new tumor.
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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
Gamma knife surgery for arteriovenous malformations involving the corpus callosum.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gamma knife surgery (GKS) for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) involving the corpus callosum. ⋯ Gamma knife surgery is a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with AVMs involving the corpus callosum, and it carries a low risk of damaging adjacent critical vascular structures. Even ruptured AVMs with relatively large diameter can be successfully treated, especially in younger patients, with minimal morbidity and a low risk of repeated hemorrhage.