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OBJECTIVES: Patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) experience concomitant continuous pain (CCP) that can be difficult to treat. A dual-target approach delivering a high dose of radiation to the nerve and the contralateral thalamus can develop a fast radiomodulation effect on lowering pain. We sought to determine if this effect was dose dependent. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients treated with radiosurgery in CCP and severe TN pain, with a visual analog scale (VAS) score of nine out of 10 at the time of treatment. Ten patients were treated with a high dose (>120 Gy) in the thalamus 90 Gy to the nerve, and the rest with a low dose (<120 Gy) to the thalamus and >90 Gy to the nerve. RESULTS: Of those who received the high dose to the thalamus, six patients (60%) received 140 Gy, and four (40%) received 120 Gy, with a median dose to the trigeminal nerve of 90 and 85 Gy, respectively. The high thalamus dose showed a radiomodulation effect from day 1. The low thalamus dose did not produce radiomodulation on any of the first four days. The percentage of VAS score reduction one month after treatment was higher in the high-thalamus dose group than in the low-thalamus dose group. At three months, VAS score was 2 in the high-dose group and 4 in the low-dose group. CONCLUSIONS: The radiomodulation effect in pain and dual-target radiosurgery is dose dependent in CCP in TN; a high dose can provide a more consistent clinical result than a lower dose.
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Introduction Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain and is characterized by abnormal dilatation of the cerebral ventricles. Patients can be either asymptomatic, have symptoms related to primary tumors, or have hydrocephalus-related symptoms. Generally, symptomatic patients are candidates for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement to reduce acute symptoms. Little evidence exists regarding the resolution of symptomatic hydrocephalus secondary to brain tumors using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone as a primary treatment option. Methods The present study is a retrospective series of eight patients (six men and two women) diagnosed with obstructive hydrocephalus due to brain tumors treated with radiosurgery between April 2013 and February 2021. The primary endpoint of the present study is to report our institutional experience regarding the control of symptomatic obstructive hydrocephalus due to brain tumors treated with upfront radiosurgery. Results The mean age was 52 years (range, 5-79). The most common presenting symptoms included headache (100%), vision-related symptoms (75%), and ataxia (37.5%). All patients showed symptom improvement after radiosurgery, five (62.5%) patients showed resolution in less than three days and the rest of the patients resolved hydrocephalus in a longer timeframe (more than three days). All patients lowered their Evans index compared to the index documented before radiosurgery, in a range from 0.02 to 0.17. Conclusion Radiosurgery is a non-invasive alternative treatment for primary and secondary brain tumors that debut with obstructive hydrocephalus, tumors expected to have a high alpha/beta ratio might be suitable to attempt radiosurgery to avoid permanently implanted devices such as VP shunts or other invasive procedures such as a third ventriculostomy. The present study demonstrated that in selected cases SRS can lead to hydrocephalus symptom resolution along with a decrease in ventricular size in a relatively short time frame. Little evidence exists regarding the effect of SRS on symptomatic hydrocephalus resolution and further histology-specific studies are required. We acknowledge that this approach requires immediate access to radiosurgery and close clinical follow-up to ensure success.
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Introduction Up to 30% of terminally ill cancer patients experiencing intense pain might be refractory to opioid treatment. Complex cancer pain can be a mixture of somatic, visceral, and neuropathic pain with few or no effective alternatives to ameliorate pain. Radiosurgery to treat refractory pain in cancer has been reported with different degrees of success. Radiomodulation in pain could be defined as a fast (<72 h), substantial (>50%) pain relief by focal irradiation to a peripheric, and/or central mediated pain circuitry. Based on our previous experience, mixed, refractory cancer pain is usually unresponsive to single target irradiation of the hypophysis. We treated three patients using a multi-target approach. Methods Three terminally ill oncological patients experiencing refractory, complex, mixed pain from bone, abdomen, thorax, and brachial plexus were treated with triple target irradiation which consisted of irradiating with a maximum dose (Dmax) of 90 Gy to the hypophysis using either an 8 mm collimator with gamma ray (Infini) (Shenzhen, China: Masep Medical Company) or a 7.5 circular collimator with Cyberknife (Sunnyvale, CA: Accuray Inc.), the other two targets were the mesial structures of the thalamus bilaterally using a 4 mm collimator with Infini and the 5 mm circular collimator with CK delivering 90 Gy Dmax to each region. Patients had a VAS of 10 despite the best medical treatment. A correlation was made between the 45 Gy and 20 Gy isodose curves of the two different technologies to the Morel stereotactic atlas of the thalamus and basal ganglia for further understanding of dose distribution reconstructions in accordance with the São Paulo-Würzburg atlas of the Human Brain Project were performed. Lastly, a scoping review of the literature regarding radiosurgery for oncological pain was performed. Results Radiomodulation effect was achieved in all patients; case 1 had a VAS of five at 72 h, three at 15 days, and three at the time of death (21 days after treatment). Case 2 had a VAS of six at 72 h, five at 15 days, and four at the time of death (29 days after treatment). Case 3 had a VAS of five at 72 h, six at 15 days, and six at the time of death (30 days). Morphine rescues for cases 1 and 2 were reduced to 84%, and 70% for case 3. Overall, there were no adverse effects to treatment although excessive sleepiness was reported by one patient. After reading the title and abstract, only 14 studies remained eligible for full-text evaluation, and only nine studies met inclusion criteria after full-text reading. For most reports (seven), the target was the hypophysis and in two reports, the target was the thalamus either with single or bilateral irradiation. Conclusions In complex, for refractory oncological pain of mixed nature (nociceptive, neuropathic, and visceral), very few, if any, treatment alternatives are currently available. We provide a small proof of concept that multitarget intracranial radiosurgery might be effective in ameliorating pain in this population. The doses administered per target are the lowest that have shown effectiveness thus far, a different strategy might be needed as opposed to single target "large" dose approach that has been tried in the past for complex mixed refractory oncological pain. By no means, in our experience, these treatments traduce in elimination of pain, clinical results might make pain to be more bearable and respond better to pain medication.
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Introduction The complex anatomy of the cavernous sinus confers a true challenge when it comes to safe tumor resection. Due to its non-invasive nature, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is expected to have lower mortality and morbidity rates than microsurgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical results regarding visual symptoms after SRS for benign tumors invading the cavernous sinus. We also conducted a systematic literature review to provide a robust analysis regarding visual outcomes. Methods The study included 58 patients (43 women and 15 men; mean age: 52 years) with benign tumors invading the cavernous sinus (27 pituitary adenomas and 31 meningiomas) who underwent SRS with different platforms between August 2011 and December 2021. Of these, 26 patients underwent surgery before SRS, and the remaining 32 had SRS as first-line therapy. We identified symptoms involving cranial nerves (CN) II, III, IV, and VI in 38 patients at the time of SRS. We conducted a systematic review to identify all original studies assessing visual outcomes. We searched PubMed, the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature index, and Google Scholar using the Medical Subject Heading search terms "radiosurgery" and "cavernous sinus" for valid studies published until January 31, 2022. Results Regarding pituitary adenomas, median tumor volume was 2.05 cc, 3.12 cc, and 2.39 cc for Gamma Knife (GK), CyberKnife (CK), and tomotherapy (Tomo), respectively. Median doses were 14 Gy for GK, 17 Gy for CK, and 15 Gy for Tomo. For meningiomas, median tumor volume was 10.2 cc, 2.62 cc, and 16.3 cc for GK, CK, and Tomo, respectively. The median dose was 14 Gy for GK, 14 Gy for CK, and 14.5 Gy for Tomo. The overall tumor control rate was 100% with a median follow-up of 33 months (range: 6-128 months). A reduction of >30% in total tumor size per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) classification was documented in seven patients (RECIST II; 12.1%), 51 patients (87.9%) had stable disease (RECIST III), and no increase in tumor volume was documented in any patient. Visual symptoms improved in 51.7% of patients. In the systematic review, the mean visual improvement was 36% (range: 25.8-42.5%). Conclusion SRS is an effective treatment for benign tumors invading the cavernous sinus. In this series, patients who underwent SRS as a primary treatment showed improvement in pre-existing cranial neuropathy and visual symptoms. Given the natural history of these tumors, which tend to grow and cause visual alternations, treating asymptomatic patients is a feasible approach worth considering for the appropriate patients.
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Background Radioneuromodulation (RNM) can explain the immediate pain relief experienced by a subgroup of patients after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). In this study, our main objective was to demonstrate that a minimum of a 50% reduction in TN pain can be achieved consistently in under 72 hours by targeting the affected nerve, the contralateral centromedian nucleus, and parafascicular complex in patients experimenting a prolonged refractory pain crisis. Methodology We treated eight patients experiencing severe TN pain crisis in whom percutaneous procedures had failed or were unwanted with SRS with an intention to procure pain relief in under 72 hours. The affected trigeminal nerve was targeted using a 4-mm collimator with an 80 to 90-Gy dose; an additional target was defined in the mesial portions of the thalamus and irradiated using the 4-mm collimator with a 120 to 140-Gy dose. Results The median duration of TN was 60 months, the median duration of pain crisis was 10.7 weeks despite the best medical treatment, and the mean presenting visual analogue score (VAS) was 10 at the time of treatment. The median follow-up was 135 days (range, 65-210). Twenty-four hours after treatment, two (25%) patients had no pain (VAS 0), three (37.5%) had mild pain (VAS 1 to 3), and three (37.5%) had moderate pain (VAS 4 to 7). Forty-eight hours after treatment, all patients reported pain relief, seven (87.5%) reported >50%, and one (12.5%) patients reported 30% relief. The three-month median VAS score was 3 (range, 0 to 5). At the last follow-up, there were no adverse events to report. Conclusions Dual irradiation to the affected trigeminal nerve and contralateral mesial structures of the thalamus may provide fast pain relief for patients experiencing a prolonged pain crisis from TN, which veers away from the concept that the SRS pain relief effect is generally delayed and holds no place in the management of such patients. Although this is a small series with a limited follow-up duration, no adverse effects were noted. RNM can be defined as the capacity to alter neuronal activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus of radiation at a duration too brief to be explained by the development of a focal lesion. The immediate pain relief and its habitual oscillatory nature of lesser pain recurrence in most patients until enough time elapses for pain stabilization clinically demonstrates that the pain circuitry is altered and remains functional, thus accomplishing a neuromodulation effect even at the face of an apparent doses suspected to be ablative. Further research is needed to understand if this clinical effect is achieved with a suspected sub-ablative dose.
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Introduction Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary malignancy of the central nervous system. Despite standard therapy protocols, such as aggressive surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, GBM's aggressive nature produces low survival rates. Tumor recurrence and progression are nearly universal. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been studied as an alternative treatment for recurrent GBM as a minimally invasive option that might prolong survival. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of SRS as a treatment modality considering overall survival (OS) in patients with GBM who had tumor recurrence and were treated with SRS in three different institutions. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who received SRS for recurrent GBM between 1992 and 2020. A total of 46 patients were included in this study. We recorded age at diagnosis, the extent of surgical resection, radiation treatment, chemotherapy regimen, Karnofsky Performance Status at the time of SRS and at last follow-up, use of adjuvant chemotherapy after SRS, and response evaluation criteria in solid tumors. Primary endpoints were OS after initial diagnosis and OS from the date of the SRS procedure. Results Patients received SRS at a median of 10 months (range, 1 to 94 months) after their initial diagnoses. Median follow-up was seven months from the time of SRS and 22.8 months since diagnosis. The estimated median OS for all patients was nine months (range, 1 to 42 months) after SRS and 23.8 months (range, 4 to 102 months) after diagnosis. Median OS after SRS was seven months for patients treated from 1992 to 2011 and nine months for those treated from 2012 to 2020 (p = 0.008; X2 = 7.008). Median OS for younger patients (i.e., those aged <50 years) was 37.1 months compared to 18.6 months for older patients (i.e., those aged >50 years; p = 0.04; X2 = 3.870). Patients who received SRS after 10 months since diagnosis had a median OS of 36.2 months versus those who received SRS sooner than 10 months, who had an OS of 15 months (p = 0.004; X2 = 8.145). Radiosurgery doses larger than 15 Gy correlated with a median survival of nine months versus seven months in those treated with doses <15 Gy (p = 0.01; X2 = 6.756). Lastly, patients who received adjuvant bevacizumab (BEV) and or chemotherapy after SRS had a median survival of 12 months versus seven months for patients who did not receive any additional therapy after SRS (p = 0.04; X2 = 4.196). Conclusion SRS focal recurrent GBM in selected patients may improve OS, especially when combined with adjuvant therapy such as BEV and chemotherapy. Other prognostic variables proved relevant such as patients' age, the dose delivered, and surgery-to-SRS time that translates to the time of recurrence. Our results were consistent with the published literature and added to the accumulating evidence regarding SRS in recurrent GBM; however, extensive, multi-center studies are required to make definitive recommendations on this treatment approach.
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Introduction Stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has gained interest among patients who are not suitable for surgical procedures. Although two target zones are more recognized - dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) and retrogasserian zone (RGZ) - the optimal targeting technique remains controversial in terms of clinical outcomes and rates of complications. Therefore, various modifications to the radiosurgical technique for TN have been made. Objective This study aimed to determine the differences in shoot location (i.e., RGZ vs. DREZ) regarding effectiveness and adverse effects in patients with medically refractory TN. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of the integral dose (ID) on treatment outcomes and complications. Methods We present a retrospective cohort study of 49 patients with primary, drug-resistant TN treated with gamma knife radiosurgery targeting the distal and proximal parts of the nerve regarding the DREZ with a prescription dose of 90 Gy (80 to 96 Gy). A subset of these patients (n=38) where the ID could be measured to the nerve was correlated to treatment outcomes and complications. Results The median follow-up time was 36 months for RGZ and 51 months for DREZ targets. Neurovascular conflict was identified in 87.5% of the RGZ group and 88.2% of the DREZ group. Using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain score, 26 (81.3%) RGZ and 12 (70.6%) DREZ patients were successfully treated (BNI I-IIIb; p=0.02). Seven (21.9%) RGZ and eight (47.1%) DREZ patients reported complete pain relief without medication (BNI I). Time response was 22.3 days for RGZ and 34.1 days for DREZ (p=0.277). There were 10 (31.3%) patients in the RGZ group with associated complications versus six (35.3%) patients in the DREZ group (χ2=0.0826, degree of freedom=1, p=0.773). Treatment outcomes using higher ID were better in the RGZ than DREZ (81.8% vs. 57.1, respectively), and a significant association was found between a higher ID delivered to the nerve and the development of complications (p=0.02). Conclusion Based on the obtained results, the RGZ was a more effective targeting area with better treatment outcomes without significant differences in complication rates than DREZ. A higher ID at the RGZ than DREZ had a greater therapeutical effect. Further investigation regarding the optimal target area along the ID delivered and clinical outcomes are required.
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Introduction Meningiomas are extra-axial central nervous system tumors. Complete resection is often curative with macroscopically complete removal of the tumor, excision of its dural attachment, and any abnormal bone. Radiosurgery is also an option for high-risk patients or in patients with surgically residual disease. Dural tail is a typical radiological sign on contrast-enhanced MRI; it can contain tumor cells or be a reaction due to vascular congestion and edema. Radiosurgical planning treatment varies regarding the identification and coverage of the dural tail. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze a series of 143 patients with WHO Grade I meningiomas treated with different radiosurgical platforms, and dosing parameters focused on planning and dose delivery to the dural tail. Methods From February 2011 to July 2020, 143 patients with histologically confirmed or radiologically assumed WHO Grade I meningiomas were treated using rotating gamma-ray Infini™ (Gamma [MASEP Medical Science Technology Development Co., Shenzhen, China]), TomoTherapy® (Tomo [Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA]), and CyberKnife® (CK [Accuray Inc.]). All plans were retrospectively reviewed to establish the maximum distance (MaxDis) from the prescription dose to the end of the dural tail and the minimum dose at the dural tail (MinDoseT) at this point. We also established the midpoint distance (MPDis) from the prescription dose to MaxDis and the dose at this point (MPDose). Plans were further distinguished when the physician intended to cover the dural tail versus when not. Patients and tumor response were assessed by imaging and clinical and phone call evaluations. Results Of the 143 patients, 81 were treated using Gamma, 34 using Tomo, and 28 using CK. Eighty patients were eligible for follow-up, of whom 58 (72.5%) had an unmistakable dural tail sign. Median follow-up was 1,118 days (range 189-3,496), mean age was 54.5 (range 19-90), and 61 were women, and 19 were men. Overall tumor volume was 6.5 cc (range 0.2-59); mean tumor volumes by different platforms were 2.4, 9.45, and 8 cc; dose prescribed and mean tumor coverage were 14 Gy and 92%, 14.5 Gy and 95%, and 14 Gy and 95.75% with Gamma, Tomo, and CK, respectively. The dural tail was drawn and planned with an attempt to treat in 18 patients (31%); the mean MaxDis, MinDoseT, MPDis, and MPDose were 9.0 mm, 2 Gy, 4.5 mm, and 10.6 Gy, respectively. At last follow-up, tumor control was achieved in 96% of patients for the whole series, and there were no statistical variations regarding tumor volume, dose, conformality, or control when stereotactic radiosurgery was used to cover the dural tail versus when it was not (p=0.105). One patient experienced a Grade 4 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity as an adverse radiation effect that required surgery, and 11 (7.6%) experienced a Grade 1 toxicity. Conclusions This is our preliminary report regarding the efficacy of radiosurgery for meningiomas using diverse platforms at three years of follow-up; the results regarding tumor control are in accordance with the published literature as of this writing. A conscious pursuit of the dural tail with the prescription dose has not proven to provide better tumor control than not doing so - even small areas of the tumor uncovered by the prescription dose did not alter tumor control at current follow-up. The doses delivered to these uncovered areas are quite significant; further follow-up is necessary to validate these findings.
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Introduction Surgery is an option for patients with large, symptomatic primary tumors affecting the brain. However, surgery might not be suitable for all tumors, especially those located in sensitive areas such as the pineal region and the hypothalamus. Single-session stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) might not provide an adequate dose for long-term local control due to the initial tumor volume and the involvement of radiation sensitive organs at risk (OARs). Two-session radiosurgery has been described as a feasible strategy for dose escalation in large secondary brain tumors. This report describes a series of patients treated upfront with two-session radiosurgery for primary tumors affecting the brain. Materials and methods From May 2017 to January 2020, eight patients with primary tumors affecting the brain were treated with two-session radiosurgery due to either an initial large tumor volume or tumor localization and the involvement of OARs. The response was assessed by imaging and clinical evaluations. Results A total of eight patients were treated, nine tumors were treated with two-session radiosurgery, four patients had tumors in the pineal region (50%), and the rest were in the hypothalamic region (25%) or elsewhere. The mean tumor volume for the first SRS session was 15 mL (range 5.2 to 51.6 mL), the mean prescription dose was 13 Gy, and the timespan between both sessions was 30 days (range, 30 to 42 days). During the second session, tumor volume was reduced to 73.6% (range, -20% to 98.7%) of the original dimension, mean tumor volume was 5 mL (range, 0.1 to 17.8 ml), mean prescription dose for the second session was 16.2 Gy estimated by time, dose, and fractionation and by bioequivalent dose under alpha-beta values often to be equivalent to a single dose of 15.8 Gy. Doses to the OARs for the optic pathway were equivalent to a single maximum dose of 9.75 Gy (range, 7.12 to 10.92), and to the brainstem, the equivalent was a maximum dose of 12.3 Gy (range, 5.6 to 15.07). At last follow-up, at a mean of 336.5 days (range, 65 to 962 days), seven patients were alive, five tumors had a partial response (PR), and three had stable disease in accordance to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. One patient died 435 days after treatment, the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was 90 at the first session, 90 at the second session, and was maintained at last follow-up. No adverse radiation effects were reported. Conclusions Two-stage SRS proved to be a safe method to escalate dose in proportionately large volume primary brain tumors whose histology is expected to have a quick biological response to radiation. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness by tumor subtypes of two-stage SRS in the same manner as it has been proven in single session SRS series in smaller tumor volumes.
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Introduction We report our initial series of patients treated with radiosurgery to the Centromedian (CM) and Parafascicular (Pfc) Complex (CM-Pf) of the contralateral thalamus mainly for trigeminal neuralgia that had failed most known forms of conventional treatments. The coordinates were co-registered to a three-dimensional atlas of the thalamus in order to have a better comprehension of isodose curves distribution. Methods A fully automated rotating gamma ray unit was used to deliver a high dose of radiation (140 Gy) using a 4-mm collimator to the CM-Pf of the contralateral thalamus in 14 patients suffering from refractory trigeminal pain and other complex pain syndromes. The best stereotactic coordinates were plotted in a thalamic three-dimensional atlas space along with isodose curves corresponding to 50% of the dose prescription and the dose gradient. Results From November 2016 to July 2019, 14 patients experiencing severe forms of different pain syndromes were treated, and 10 were eligible for follow-up evaluation. Pain deriving from trigeminal neuralgia was present in the majority (80%) of patients and from other complex pain syndromes in the rest (20%). Median follow-up was 384 days (range: 30-994). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score before treatment was 9 (range: 7-10) and standardized to 10. Before treatment, all the patients had a Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Scale (BNI) of 5 (V). The median years suffering from pain was 4.5 years (range: 1-15), the number of procedures including radiosurgery to the trigeminal nerve before thalamotomy was four (range: 1-10). Most patients (90%) reported some form of relief, the average VAS at the time of response was 3.5 (range: 0-9), and the average time to response was 67.3 days (range: 2-210). The neuromodulation effect of radiation was seen in 60% of patients. The average BNI score at response was 2.7 (range: 1-5). The final VAS score at last follow-up was 5.5 (range: 0-10) in six patients. In four patients (40%), the procedure had failed with a final BNI of IV, and V, three patients (30%) had excellent response (BNI of I), and three patients (30%) had worthwhile results with BNI of IIIa and IIIb. The total success rate (BNI of I to IIIb) was 60%, and the number of patients experiencing more than 50% of pain reduction at final follow-up was five (50%). Excluding both patients that were treated for pain outside of trigeminal neuralgia, 75% of the patients responded. The best coordinates on average were X: 5.5 mm from the thalamic border, Y: 3.7 mm anterior to the posterior commissure, and Z: 3.7 mm from the intercomissural line. There were no complications to report. Conclusion Radiosurgery to the CM-Pf of the thalamus was demonstrated to be a safe and relatively effective alternative to treat refractory trigeminal neuralgia. Further studies are needed to optimize target dimensions based on the three-dimensional studies of isodose curves as well as coordinates. Longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate recurrence rates that could not be reached.
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Introduction Surgery is considered the treatment of choice for patients with large, symptomatic brain metastases. This report describes a series of patients treated with upfront two-session radiosurgery rather than surgery for large brain metastases from breast and lung histology. Methods From October 2016 to January 2019, 10 consecutive patients with neurologic symptoms from large brain metastases producing mass effects underwent two sessions of radiosurgical treatments 30 days apart. The response was assessed by imaging and clinical evaluations. Results Ten patients had a total of 36 tumors; of these, 22 lesions with a mean volume of 12.3 ml (range, 7-78.4 ml) underwent two-session radiosurgery. The mean prescription dose for the first treatment was 13 Gy (range, 9-18 Gy) to the 50% isodose line, and the intratumoral mean dose was 17.9 Gy (12-22.9). All 10 patients had neurological symptoms, with a mean Karnofsky physical score (KPS) of 60 (range, 50-70) on the day of treatment. None of these patients required neurosurgical or emergency consultation related to worsening of neurological symptoms between the first and second treatments. At 30 days, the mean KPS was 80 and maintained at 80 at the last follow-up (range, 60-100; P=0.002), and mean lesion volume was 4.1 ml (range, 1.3-70 ml). The mean prescription dose for the second treatment was 12 Gy (range, 9-18 Gy) to the 50% isodose line, and the intratumoral mean dose was 17.9 Gy (11-22.4). The mean overall survival was 24 months (range, 3-32 months). At last follow-up, three patients (30%) had died, two of systemic progression and one of tumor progression, and at one year, local tumor control was 91% and 19 (86%) lesions showed documented local control at last follow up. In those tumors that progressed, the mean time to progression was eight months (range, 5-20 months), and the mean time to surgery was nine months (range, 5-32 months). Conclusion Two-session radiosurgery proved to be a safe treatment for patients with large, symptomatic metastases in this series. Neurological worsening after radiosurgery for large lesions of breast and lung histology may be an infrequent event. This strategy in radiosurgery may have neurological benefits for these patients providing adequate local tumor control while reducing the need of upfront surgery at diagnosis.
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Introduction We report our initial series of terminally ill cancer patients treated with radiosurgery to the pituitary gland to alleviate pain. Methods A fully automated rotating gamma ray unit was used to deliver a high dose of radiation (150Gy) using an 8 mm collimator to the neurohypophysis in 11 patients suffering from opioid-refractory pain deriving from cancer. Results From November 2016 to November 2018, 11 patients were treated, and 10 were eligible for follow-up evaluation. Pain from bone metastases was present in 70%; others suffered from neuropathic and visceral pain. The median survival was 119.7 days (range: 32 to 370). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was nine (7-10) and standardized to 10; eight patients (80%) responded. The average VAS at the time of response was three (range: 1-6), and the average time to response was 2.8 days (range: 2-5). In the first week, 40% of the patients categorized the result as 'excellent', 30% deemed the result 'good', and 20% reported the result as 'poor'. One patient (10%) referred to the result as 'regular'. Those who responded were able to reduce their medications by at least 25%. The one-month average VAS score was five (range: 1-6), 60% reported a 'good' effect, 20% reported 'excellent' results, and 20% had no response. Of the study participants, 60% maintained their level of medicine consumption at lower than baseline. At the end of life, five patients (50%) presented substantial pain, two (20%) never had a therapeutic effect, and three (30%) died without substantial pain. There were no clinical complications that could be attributed directly to the treatment. Conclusion Radiosurgery to the pituitary gland is effective and safe and warrants further investigation to understand its potential role in palliative care in cancer patients.
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Introduction The objective is to report the dosimetry and safety profiles of the first fully automatized rotating gamma ray unit for intracranial radiosurgery in America. Methods Dosimetry tests were conducted by our institution using the standard of examination and calibration and the Intelligent γ Radiometer of the China Research Institute of Measurement. The phantom and dosimetry tests were performed by the Outreach Physics Section of MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Anchorage Radiation Therapy Center using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) radiosurgery quality assurance guidelines. Clinically, 233 patients were treated. Results Mechanical precision was 0.16 mm and the offset registered at the phantom on all axes was 0.0. The ratio of the dose to the center was 0.97 (0.95-1.05), the ratio of the treated volume was 0.95 (0.75-1.25), the ratio of the measured treated volume to the volume of the target was 1.29 (1.00-2.00), the ratio of the minimal dose to the dose prescribed was 1.05 (>0.90), with a treated volume of 0.95 (0.75-1.25) and a minimum dose to target of 1.05 (>0.90). The dose rate at loading was 3.89 Gy per minute. None of the patients treated experienced severe complications. Conclusions The dosimetry studies are compliant with quality assurance standards for intracranial radiosurgery.
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INTRODUCCIÓN: la técnica de craneotomía vigíl (CV) ha facilitado la extracción de lesiones intracerebrales cercanas a áreas elocuentes debido a la información inmediata que se puede obtener por vía de cortico-estimulación. OBJETIVO: describir los costos económicos comparativos entre CV y anestesia general (CAG). MÉTODO: se estudiaron los casos operados bajo CV, desde noviembre del 2007 a octubre del 2012, en el Hospital de Diagnóstico de El Salvador. Se operaron 63 pacientes bajo CV, de estos, 45 con patología oncológica fueron comparados contra 45 pacientes operados bajo CAG. Se analizan costos de CV versus CAG, los cuales se desglosan en: procedimiento, días de estancia intrahospitalaria y unidades intermedias. RESULTADOS: el costo promedio de CV fue de 6,540 USD (6,300 6,900) versus 8,550 USD (8,000 - 9,000) de CAG (p.0003). El tiempo en quirófano fue de 257.49 minutos en CV y de 247.51 minutos para CAG (p.0.63). El tiempo promedio hospitalización en CV fue de 2.1 días (1-4) y en CAG de 2.9 días (2-5) (p0.004). Tres (6.6%) pacientes de CV pasaron a unidad de cuidados intermedios (UCIM), de CAG 6 (13.3%) pacientes pasaron a UCIM (p.0.04). La tasa de resección volumétrica según RM control fue de 92% (40-100) en CV versus 95% (62-100) en CAG (p.0.5). CONCLUSIONES: la CV mostró ser más económica que la clásica CCAG e incurre en menor tiempo de hospitalización. Las series no fueron comparables en cuanto a cercanía de las lesiones a áreas elocuentes y a la existencia de complicaciones, ya que la mayoría de casos en dichas áreas fueron operados por CV
INTRODUCTION: awake craniotomy (CV) technique made easier the resection of intracerebral lesions near eloquent cortex due to the immediate information that can be obtained via cortico-stimulation. OBJECTIVE: to investigate comparative costs at our center between CV and general anesthesia (CAG). METHOD: we analyzed the cases that were operated under CV from November 2007 to October 2012 at the Hospital de Diagnóstico de El Salvador. During this period 63 patients were operated using CV. 45 patients with oncological pathology were chosen that could be compared to 45 patients that were operated by the same team but under CAG. Comparative costs were studied and broken down in the direct cost of procedure, hospital stay in regular and intermediate care units. A brief description of the techniques used is provided and clinical results with regards to volumetric resection and neurologicalcomplications. RESULTS: the average cost of CV was 6,540 USD (6,300 6,900) versus 8,550 USD (8,000 - 9,000) of CAG (p.0003). Operating room time was 257.49 minutes in CV and 247.51 minutes for CAG p.0.63. The average hospitalization time was in CV 2.1 days (1-4) and 2.9 days in CAG (2-5) (p.0.004). Three (6.6%) patients of CV needed Intermediate Care (UCIM), in CAG 6 (13.3%) patients needed (UCIM p.0.04). The proportion of lesions next to or in eloquent cortex was CV (36) versus CAG (15) 2.4:1 (p.0.0031). Volumetric resection according MRI was 92% (40-100) in CV versus 95% (62-100) in CAG, (p.0.5). CONCLUSIONS: awake craniotomy showed to be less expensive than CAG and had less hospital stay. Both series were not comparable with regards to tumor resection in eloquent or near eloquent cortex and complications due to the fact that most of the complex cases were operated under CV
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Neoplasias Craneales , Neoplasias Encefálicas , CraneotomíaRESUMEN
Introducción: Tomoterapia (HT) es un acelerador lineal sobre una Tomografía Computarizada (CT), es helicoidal por naturaleza e implica un CT de megavoltaje diario el cual es fusionado con el plan radioquirúrgico previo antes de entregar la dosis radioterapéutica (Radiocirugía Guiada por Imágenes). Esta tecnología es nueva a nivel mundial; hasta nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer reporte de radiocirugía intracraneal en Latinoamérica utilizando HT. Se describe la distribución de dosis en dianas pequeñas, así como también el flujo normal de un paciente y nuestra experiencia inicial.Material y métodos: En el análisis de irradiación de pequeñas dianas (PTV), una esfera de 10 mm (0.51cc volumen) fue elaborada. Los PTVs fueron puestos en el isocentro y a 100 mm por encima del isocentro, al PTV se le prescribió 6 Gy a la línea del 85% de la isodosis, con un máximo de 9.0 Gy y un mínimo de 4.7 Gy. Describimos el flujo normal del paciente y de manera retrospectiva nuestra experiencia inicial desde febrero del 2011 a agosto del 2011en radiocirugía intracraneal.Resultados: Los resultados del control de calidad (DQA) muestra una conformalidad (CI) de 1.14, homogeneidad (HI) de 1.51 y comportamiento de la caída de dosis al 50% con relación al PTV de 4.6 mm. Trece pacientes fueron tratados recibiendo 36 sesiones de radiocirugía.Conclusiones: Radiocirugía con HT, es altamente conformal, homogénea, con caída de dosis rápida, comparable con otros sistemas de radiocirugía estereotáctica (SRS) ya conocidos, es no invasivo y usualmente requiere de poco tiempo para su aplicación.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Cirugía General , Radioterapia de Intensidad ModuladaRESUMEN
Objetivo: determinar nuestra confiabilidad con US y reportar nuestra experiencia inicial con la implementación del protocolo RMTop. Material y métodos: análisis prospectivo de enero de 2010 a diciembre de 2010, de lesiones intra-axiales supratentoriales radiológicamente compatibles con gliomas de bajo grado (GBG) o alto grado (GAG) que fueron operados empleando técnica de craneotomía vigíl, con asistencia de cirugía guiada por imágenes (CGI) y ultrasonografía intraoperatoria (US) a los cuales se llevo a RMTop con intención de buscar residuo tumoral no identificado en quirófano por medio de US, si existiera residuo tumoral, el paciente es llevado de regreso a quirófano para resección del residuo tumoral. Resultados: nueve pacientes fueron incluidos en el protocolo de RMTop. Un (11%) residuo tumoral de 13mm de largo por 2.5mm de espesor no fue identificado por US y si por RMTop en un GAG utilizando secuencia (Fluid Attenuation Inversion Recovery) FLAIR. La tasa de resección radiológica final en todos los casos fue del 100%. El tiempo de RMTop añadido al procedimiento fue de 35 minutos (30-42), en el caso que requirió reintervención fue de 85 minutos. Hubo un empeoramiento neurológico transitorio de discalculia e incoordinación de la mano derecha la cual resolvió a los 30 días. No ha habido déficit neurológico definitivo o mortalidad a 30 días. De todas las lesiones, una (11%) lesión se encontraba en área elocuente, 6 (66.6%) cercano a áreas elocuentes, 2 (22.2%) en áreas no elocuentes. Karnofsky (KPS) en su mediana antes de la cirugía, al alta y al control al mes fue de 80, 80 y 90 respectivamente. Conclusión: nuestra posibilidad de detectar residuos tumorales que conlleven a resección completa con US fue del 89% al compararla contra resonancia magnética (RM) de alto teslaje (1.5 Teslas). RMTop es un protocolo seguro de utilizar en nuestro centro y puede asegurar la resección radiológica completa de tumores
Asunto(s)
Glioma , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
Objetivo: determinar nuestra confiabilidad con US y reportar nuestra experiencia inicial con la implementación del protocolo RMTop. Material y métodos: análisis prospectivo de enero de 2010 a diciembre de 2010, de lesiones intra-axiales supratentoriales radiológicamente compatibles con gliomas de bajo grado (GBG) o alto grado (GAG) que fueron operados empleando técnica de craneotomía vigíl, con asistencia de cirugía guiada por imágenes (CGI) y ultrasonografía intraoperatoria (US) a los cuales se llevo a RMTop con intención de buscar residuo tumoral no identificado en quirófano por medio de US, si existiera residuo tumoral, el paciente es llevado de regreso a quirófano para resección del residuo tumoral. Resultados: nueve pacientes fueron incluidos en el protocolo de RMTop. Un (11%) residuo tumoral de 13mm de largo por 2.5mm de espesor no fue identificado por US y si por RMTop en un GAG utilizando secuencia (Fluid Attenuation Inversion Recovery) FLAIR. La tasa de resección radiológica final en todos los casos fue del 100%. El tiempo de RMTop añadido al procedimiento fue de 35 minutos (30-42), en el caso que requirió reintervención fue de 85 minutos. Hubo un empeoramiento neurológico transitorio de discalculia e incoordinación de la mano derecha la cual resolvió a los 30 días. No ha habido déficit neurológico definitivo o mortalidad a 30 días. De todas las lesiones, una (11%) lesión se encontraba en área elocuente, 6 (66.6%) cercano a áreas elocuentes, 2 (22.2%) en áreas no elocuentes. Karnofsky (KPS) en su mediana antes de la cirugía, al alta y al control al mes fue de 80, 80 y 90 respectivamente. Conclusión: nuestra posibilidad de detectar residuos tumorales que conlleven a resección completa con US fue del 89% al compararla contra resonancia magnética (RM) de alto teslaje (1.5 Teslas). RMTop es un protocolo seguro de utilizar en nuestro centro y puede asegurar la resección radiológica completa de tumores
Asunto(s)
Ultrasonografía , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , GliomaRESUMEN
Objetivo: reportar el uso inicial de tecnología y técnicas avanzadas en la cirugía de tumores cerebrales. Analizar la estadística inicial del Programa de Neuro-Oncología de los Hospitales de Diagnóstico (HD) de El Salvador. Material y método: análisis descriptivo, respectivo, preliminar de pacientes operados de tumores cerebrales tanto primarios como secundarios por el Programa de Neuro-Oncología de los HD y el Hospital Militar Central (HMC). Enero del 2007 a enero del 2009. Descripción de técnicas de cirugía guiadas por estereotaxia, CGI, ultrasonido intraoperatorio, cirugía vigil y mapeo cortical. Resultados: en 57 pacientes operados hubo 7 complicaciones (12%) pero no hubo déficit neurológico definitivo ni mortalidad a 30 días de la cirugía; 13 pacientes (22,8%), fueron operados despiertos. Hubo 4 (7%) tumores en áreas elocuentes, 7 (12%) cercanos a áreas elocuentes y 46 (80%) en áreas no elocuentes. Conclusión: a pesar de lo joven del Programa de Neuro-Oncología, ha representado un avance significativo sobre el análisis de resultados quirúrgicos y de otras terapéuticas en los hospitales en que ha sido implementado. La tecnología empleada en dicho programa ha facilitado la maximización de las resecciones quirúrgicas, minimizando las complicaciones.
Asunto(s)
Craneotomía , Neurocirugia , Cirugía Asistida por Computador , UltrasonidoRESUMEN
Objetivo: reportar el uso inicial de tecnología y técnicas avanzadas en la cirugía de tumores cerebrales. Analizar la estadística inicial del Programa de Neuro-Oncología de los Hospitales de Diagnóstico (HD) de El Salvador. Material y método: análisis descriptivo, respectivo, preliminar de pacientes operados de tumores cerebrales tanto primarios como secundarios por el Programa de Neuro-Oncología de los HD y el Hospital Militar Central (HMC). Enero del 2007 a enero del 2009. Descripción de técnicas de cirugía guiadas por estereotaxia, CGI, ultrasonido intraoperatorio, cirugía vigil y mapeo cortical. Resultados: en 57 pacientes operados hubo 7 complicaciones (12%) pero no hubo déficit neurológico definitivo ni mortalidad a 30 días de la cirugía; 13 pacientes (22,8%), fueron operados despiertos. Hubo 4 (7%) tumores en áreas elocuentes, 7 (12%) cercanos a áreas elocuentes y 46 (80%) en áreas no elocuentes. Conclusión: a pesar de lo ¶joven÷ del Programa de Neuro-Oncología, ha representado un avance significativo sobre el análisis de resultados quirúrgicos y de otras terapéuticas en los hospitales en que ha sido implementado. La tecnología empleada en dicho programa ha facilitado la maximización de las resecciones quirúrgicas, minimizando las complicaciones.(AU)
Asunto(s)
Neurocirugia , Cirugía Asistida por Computador , Ultrasonido , CraneotomíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Augmented reality (AR) is a technique in which an overlay of a virtual image to a live picture is performed to create a new image in which both original images coexist as a single image. This results in the visualization of internal structures through overlying tissues. The objective was to describe an easy, inexpensive, and successful method to coregister with AR in an image-guided surgery setting using the resources at hand. METHODS: Cortical information was obtained with a volumetric acquisition of 200 0.8-mm thick, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scans in an axial T1-weighted sequence. For the venous anatomy, a contrast phase at 7 mm/s velocity was used. This data was reconstructed in a three-dimensional fashion using MRIcro software (v. 1.37, freeware, courtesy of Chris Rorden) and was overlaid to a digital image of the cerebral cortex either pre- or intraoperatively. RESULTS: Eight patients were studied. There was an adequate coregistration in seven of the patients as confirmed by intraoperative ultrasound, frame-based stereotaxy, or obvious anatomic homology between the three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging scan virtual reconstruction and the live image obtained during surgery. AR was not possible in one case of a cerebellar lesion. CONCLUSION: AR coregistration capabilities are adequate when revised by other intraoperative guidance devices. When performed with "freeware" software and conventional digital cameras, it is relatively inexpensive, which makes it a potential tool for surgical planning and noncontinuous intraoperative guidance in neurosurgery. Its largest drawbacks are the inability to function in deep-seated lesions and its lack of tracking devices, which gives it a noncontinuous coregistration nature.
