Gamma Knife and volumetric modulated arc therapy stereotactic radiosurgery plan quality and OAR sparing comparison for pituitary adenomas and vestibular schwannomas.

PURPOSE: To compare the plan quality and organs at risk (OAR) sparing of auto-planned volumetric modulated art therapy (VMAT) and Gamma Knife (GK) for stereotactic radiosurgery of pituitary adenomas (PA) and vestibular schwannomas (VS).
METHODS: VMAT radiosurgery plans were made using auto planning tool for eight vestibular schwannoma and eight pituitary adenoma patients previously treated with GK. VMAT plans were made with three non-coplanar arcs using 315, 0 and 45 degrees angles, 6MV FFF energy at 1400 MU/min dose rate and 2.5 mm thick MLC leaves. Both GK and VMAT plans were prescribed to similar isodose lines (50% - 60%).
RESULTS: Respectively for GK and VMAT, the mean Paddick conformity index (PCI) was 0.62 ± 0.08 and 0.67 ± 0.10 (p > 0.05) for PA and 0.72 ± 0.09 and 0.660 ± 0.13 (p > 0.05) for VS; the mean gradient index (GI) was 2.76 ± 0.14 and 3.14 ± 0.40 Gy (p < 0.05) for PA and 3.71 ± 1.83 and 3.60 ± 0.84 Gy (p > 0.05) for VS; mean brainstem maximum dose was 9.13 ± 3.50 Gy and 7.31 ± 2.01 Gy (p > 0.05) for PA and 11.67 ± 4.56 Gy and 12.22 ± 4.55 Gy (p > 0.05) for VS; mean optic nerve maximum dose was 9.66 ± 1.0 Gy and 7.67 ± 2.58 Gy (p < 0.05); mean cochlea mean dose was 7.31 ± 2.7 Gy and 7.23 ± 3.13 Gy (p > 0.05); and mean treatment time was 68 min and 5 min for PA and 40 min and 3 min for VS.
CONCLUSIONS: Auto planning with standard template simplified the planning stage for VMAT and provided clinically acceptable plans. Comparison of GK and VMAT for plan quality and OAR sparing varied across patients but both were overall comparable.