Discrepancies between frame- and CBCT-based stereotactic space definition on the Gamma Knife Icon.

PURPOSE: To assess differences between frame-based and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-defined stereotactic space and to identify predictors of the observed findings. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Differences between frame-based and CBCT-defined stereotactic space after image co-registration were reviewed for 529 patients. Treatment planning system reported the information about the shifts in X, Y, and Z coordinates of the center of the stereotactic space (i.e., coordinate X = 100 mm, Y = 100 mm, and Z = 100 mm) defined by the frame, and the maximum shot displacement (MSD) in mm. We collected the potential predictors of the differences. In total, 19 factors were investigated. We used multiple linear regression to evaluate associations with the increased differences. RESULTS: Rotational and translational shifts greater than 1° and 1 mm, respectively, were observed in 2.6% of patients. At the same time, a decrease in tumor coverage of more than 5% was detected in 8.3% of cases. It was revealed that the higher fiducial errors (both mean and maximum), the greater weight of the patient, and the lower Karnofsky Performance Scale were predictors of increased rotational, translational shifts, and the MSD.

Preoperative Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Brain Metastases: Preliminary Results.

INTRODUCTION:  Preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (pre-SRS) is a recent advancement in the strategy for brain metastasis (BM) management, and available data demonstrate the advantages of pre-SRS before postoperative radiation treatment, including lower rates of local toxicity, leptomeningeal progression, and a high percentage of local control. The authors presented the results of pre-SRS in patients with BM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with BM (11 female and eight male) have been treated at N.N. Burdenko Medical Research Center for Neurosurgery (Moscow, Russia) and Gamma-Knife Center (Moscow, Russia) using pre-SRS. A total of 22 symptomatic metastatic lesions were preoperatively irradiated in the series. Eight patients had multiple BM (number of metastases ranged between two and seven). The median target volume for combined treatment was 14.131 cc (volumes varied between 2.995 and 57.098 cc; mean - 19.986 cc). The median of the mean target dose was 18 Gy, ranging between 12.58 and 24.36 Gy.  Results: All patients tolerated pre-SRS well, without any neurological deterioration, and surgical treatment was performed as scheduled. The median follow-up period was 6.3 months (ranging between five weeks and 22.9 months). In 17 out of 19 patients, follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained two or three months after the combined treatment demonstrated the postoperative cavity without any signs of postradiation alterations in the perifocal tissues. In two observations, peritumoral edema was present. Local recurrences were found in two cases, 5.5 and 17.4 months after treatment. Radionecrosis was present in one observation after 4.6 months of follow-up. Two patients died of disease progression and are presented as illustrative cases. CONCLUSION: The combined treatment of secondary brain tumors has proved to be the best treatment option. Preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery may decrease radiation-induced toxicity and rates of local tumor progression. The potential hazards of pre-SRS associated with the postoperative healing of irradiated soft tissues of the head were not confirmed in our study. The decision of pre-SRS should be made by the tumor board, including specialists in neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, and radiation oncology, if the diagnosis of BM is based on oncological history and visualization data.