Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Meningiomas in Cavernous Sinuses

Objective To study the curative effect of gamma knife radiosurgery on cavernous sinus meningiomas. Methods Of 93 patients with cavernous sinus meningiomas,who underwent gamma knife radiosurgery in our center from 1997 to 2004,57 patients suffered from recurrent meningiomas after the surgery and 36 from primary meningiomas. The tumor volume ranged from 1.3 to 128.6 cm3 (mean,24.18 cm3) before the radiosurgery. The isodose line curve ranged from 40% to 60% (mean,48%). The marginal dose ranged from 7 to 18 Gy (mean,10.9 Gy),and the centre dose ranged from 16 to 40 Gy (mean,22.5 Gy). Results Ninety-three patients were followed up for 36~78 months (mean,43.7 month) by imaging examination. The tumors disappeared in 12 patients (12.9%),the tumors shrank in 37 patients (39.8%),the tumors were unchanged in 26 patients (28.0%),and the tumors became bigger in 18 patients (19.4%). The total tumor growth control rate was 80.6%. Conclusion Gamma knife radiosurgery for meningiomas invading cavernous sinuses is safe and reliable. Its long-term curative effect on the meningiomas in cavernous sinuses is good.