Gamma Knife Treatment for Patients with Acoustic Neuroma: Bezmialem Vakif University Gamma Knife Unit Preliminary Results

Objective: Gamma Knife is a stereotactic radiosurgery technique that focuses radiation to a specific target in the brain using 192 or 201 different Co60 sources. Because Gamma Knife is effective and safe treatment, this technique is widely used for acoustic neuroma treatment. In this study, patients who treated with Gamma Knife for Acoustic neuroma were reviewed and effectiveness and its side effects were assessed. Methods: Patients treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery for acoustic neuroma between August 2014 May 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Magnetic resonance (MR) of brain before and after the Gamma Knife treatment for every 3 months period were assessed. Also, during that period clinical follow up was reviewed. Results: During the study period, 18 patients (11 male and 7 female) were treated. Median age was 56 years (38-72). Lesion is on the left side in 14 patients (78%), there is intracanalicular extension in 15 (83%) and brainstem compression in four (22%) patients. The median tumor volume before Gamma Knife was 1.94 cm3 (0.25-14 cm3). The median treatment dose was 12.5 Gy (12-13 Gy). Median follow up time was 4 months (1-8 months). Of these 18 lesions, size of the lesions decreased in three, increased in one and remained stable in 14 patients. Only one patient (%6) developed hemiparesthesia, which resolved after steroids. Conclusion: Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an effective and safe treatment for patients with acoustic neuroma.