Source
Division of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. foote.robert@mayo.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
We evaluated toxicity and long-term efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with symptomatic or progressive glomus jugulare tumors.
METHODS:
Twenty-five consecutive patients (age, 30-88 years; 17 women, 8 men) who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery with the Leksell Gamma Knife (dose, 12-18 Gy) were prospectively followed. MRI and clinical examinations were performed at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years, and then every 2 years.
RESULTS:
None of the tumors increased in size, 17 were stable, and 8 decreased (median imaging follow-up, 35 months; range, 10-113 months). Symptoms subsided in 15 patients (60%); vertigo occurred in 1, but balance improved with vestibular training (median clinical follow-up, 37 months; range, 11-118 months). No other new or progressive neuropathy of cranial nerves V-XII developed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Stereotactic radiosurgery can achieve excellent tumor control with low risk of morbidity in the treatment of glomus jugulare tumors. The lower cranial nerves can safely tolerate a radiosurgical dose of 12 to 18 Gy.
Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.