Radiosurgical Treatment of Intracranial Tumours

Overview

Gamma knife radiosurgery of intracranial tumours is non-invasive treatment with zeromortality and acute morbidity and a low late morbidity. While microsurgery prevents growthof the tumour in case of radical resection, radiosurgery prevents its growth,although the tumouris left in place. Contrary to microsurgery, the result of treatment using radiosurgery is not anempty space in place of the tumour. In follow-up images the tumour remains in place, but doesnot increase in volume. Eventually regression of the tumour can be observed. Because of itsepidemiology and incidence in the population, the most frequent tumour indications that lendthemselves to gamma knife radiosurgery are meningiomas, acoustic neurinomas, pituitaryadenomas and brain metastases.

Key words:
radiosurgery - gamma knife - brain neoplasm - stereotactic neurosurgery.