Linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of gelastic seizures due to hypothalamic hamartoma.

Purpose: There are reports of successful gamma-knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of gelastic seizures associated with a hypothalamic hamartoma. The authors reviewed the results of linear accelerator (LINAC) radiosurgery for patients with medically refractory gelastic seizures due to a sessile hypothalamic hamartoma.

Methods: Three patients with gelastic seizures received SRS between 2003 and 2004.

Functional neurosurgery in the MRI environment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of microelectrode recording, electrical stimulation, and electrode position checking during functional neurosurgical procedures (DBS, lesion) in the interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) environment.

Methods: Seventy-six surgical procedures for DBS implant or radiofrequency lesion were performed in an open 0.2 T MRI operating room.

Spinal lesions treated with Novalis shaped beam intensity-modulated radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy.

Object: Spinal radiosurgery was implemented to improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with malignancies. It may also be applicable to the treatment of benign lesions.

Methods: Between July 2002 and January 2004, 14 patients harboring 22 lesions were treated; 13 received single-dose stereotactic radiosurgery.

Novalis Shaped Beam Radiosurgery of arteriovenous malformations.

Object: The authors studied outcomes and complications in patients who harbored arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and underwent stereotactic radiosurgery involving the Novalis shaped beam unit.

Methods: Between January 1998 and January 2002, 83 patients were treated with radiosurgery at University of California, Los Angeles. The mean patient age was 37.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of acoustic neuromas.

Object: The authors sought to assess the safety and efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy when using a linear accelerator equipped with a micromultileaf collimator for the treatment of patients with acoustic neuromas.

Methods: Fifty patients harboring acoustic neuromas were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy between September 1997 and June 2003. Two patients were lost to follow-up review.