The management of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) continues to present a challenge to neurosurgeons. The natural history of this condition, as well as the morbidity and mortality of therapeutic interventions, remains incompletely elucidated. Predictive factors and grading scales in AVM management allow risk-benefit analysis of treatment options and comparison of outcomes. Stereotact...

Worldwide, approximately 100,000 patients have undergone stereotactic radiosurgery for a variety of intracranial lesions, of which brain metastases represent the most common treatment indication. This article summarizes the major issues surrounding the management of brain metastases, and also analyzes 21 independent reports of Gamma Knife- or linear accelerator-based radiosurgery, representing ...

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive technique for the delivery of highly focused ionizing radiation with extreme precision. It is used in neurosurgical practice as a less invasive means of targeting benign and malignant brain tumors, vascular malformations, and functional disorders. Its ability to elicit a desired response (e.g. tumor cell death) with minimal effect on normal surr...

PURPOSE To compare the performance of plastic scintillation detectors (PSD) for quality assurance (QA) in stereotactic radiosurgery conditions to a microion-chamber (IC), Gafchromic EBT2 films, 60 008 shielded photon diode (SD) and unshielded diodes (UD), and assess a new 2D crosshair array prototype adapted to small field dosimetry. METHODS The PSD consists of a 1 mm diameter by 1 mm long sc...

The management of pituitary adenomas entails a multidisciplinary approach that involves neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, and radiation oncologists. Traditionally, the treatment included medical management, surgery (transsphenoidal microsurgical resection and transcranial approaches), and conventional fractionated radiotherapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery, through the various competing radiosurgic...