Acute complications following gamma knife radiosurgery are rare

Surg Neurol. 2000 May;53(5):498-502; discussion 502. doi: 10.1016/s0090-3019(00)00219-6.

Abstract

Background: Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR) is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for intracranial lesions. Most studies evaluating toxicity after GKR have concentrated on the delayed radiation effects.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 835 consecutive GKR cases for early (within 7 days) neurological complications or death.

Results: We identified a total of 18 patients (2.2%) who had a neurological event or death. Five (0.6%) patients developed new focal deficits, 12 (1.4%) patients experienced a seizure and there were three (0.4%) deaths. Two deaths were related to development of seizures and neurological deterioration. One death was caused by a respiratory arrest related to the patient's primary cancer. Of the five patients with neurological deficits, none had a persistent deficit. In two cases the neurological deficits were due to an increase in edema. Whether this occurred as a result of the gamma knife treatment or was the natural progression of the tumor is unclear.

Conclusions: Complications after GKR are uncommon and the risk of a permanent deficit arising from an acute neurological event is exceedingly low.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiosurgery / adverse effects*
  • Radiosurgery / mortality
  • Retrospective Studies