INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital vascular lesions of the brain, which behave differently in pediatric population compared to adults. Treatment of pediatric AVMs includes a combination of microsurgery, embolization and radiation therapies. However, the role of radiosurgery in the treatment of pediatric AVMs is not fully accepted because of concerns regarding the long-term effects of radiation on the pediatric brain. DISCUSSION: In this study, we review our experience at the University of Toronto with treating pediatric AVMs using linear accelerator-based (LINAC) radiosurgery over the past 15 years. We report our results, obliteration rates, and complications on a total of 40 patients. In addition, we provide a review of series published to date combined with our own results to determine whether radiosurgery is a safe and reasonable treatment modality for pediatric AVMs.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND:Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital vascular lesions of the brain, which behave differently in pediatric population compared to adults. Treatment of pediatric AVMs includes a combination of microsurgery, embolization and radiation therapies. However, the role of radiosurgery in the treatment of pediatric AVMs is not fully accepted because of concerns regarding the long-term effects of radiation on the pediatric brain. DISCUSSION: In this study, we review our experience at the University of Toronto with treating pediatric AVMs using linear accelerator-based (LINAC) radiosurgery over the past 15 years. We report our results, obliteration rates, and complications on a total of 40 patients. In addition, we provide a review of series published to date combined with our own results to determine whether radiosurgery is a safe and reasonable treatment modality for pediatric AVMs.
Authors: G S Baumann; W M Wara; D A Larson; P K Sneed; P H Gutin; S F Ciricillo; M W McDermott; E Park; L J Stalpers; L J Verhey; V Smith; P L Petti; M S Edwards Journal: Pediatr Neurosurg Date: 1996 Impact factor: 1.162
Authors: E I Levy; A Niranjan; T P Thompson; A M Scarrow; D Kondziolka; J C Flickinger; L D Lunsford Journal: Neurosurgery Date: 2000-10 Impact factor: 4.654