Manjul Tripathi1,2, Prasant Maskara3, Naveen Sankhyan4, Jitendra Kumar Sahu4, Rakesh Kumar4, Narendra Kumar5, Chirag K Ahuja6, Parwinder Kaur3, Rupinder Kaur3, Aman Batish3, Sandeep Mohindra3. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. drmanjultripathi@gmail.com. 2. National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Group on Neurotrauma, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. drmanjultripathi@gmail.com. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. 4. Department of Pediatric Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. 5. Department of Radiotherapy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. 6. Department of Radiodiagnosis, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility, safety, efficacy, and complication profile of primary hypofractionated gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS), and practical nuances of performing the same in pediatric patients. METHODS: Three pediatric patients (age range 17-65 mo) underwent primary hypofractionated GKRS in 2-3 consecutive days with interfraction interval of 24 h. All patients had precocious puberty and were on GnRH analogue. Frame based GKRS done with 8.1-9.2 Gy radiation per fraction at 50% isodose in 2-3 fractions targeting the entire hamartoma volume. The mean target volume was 5.67 cc (4.45-7.39 cc). The authors followed these patients for clinical and endocrinological assessment at every 6 mo interval while the repeat MRI done at 6 mo and then annually. The seizure outcome analysis was done using Engel scale. RESULTS: At a mean follow up of 27 mo (24-30 mo), 2 patients became Engel class 3 while one achieved Engel class 1 control. 2 patients showed halted pubertal growth with no additional hormonal aberration. 2 patients showed significant volumetric reduction (48% and 32%) and patchy necrosis inside the hypothalamic hamartoma (HH). There was no deficit in visual function, memory and cognition. One patient showed reduction in aggressiveness. CONCLUSION: Giant HH are exceptionally difficult neurological diseases. Primary hypofractionated GKRS may be an alternative approach as mono/multitherapy with promising results and minimal complication.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility, safety, efficacy, and complication profile of primary hypofractionated gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS), and practical nuances of performing the same in pediatric patients. METHODS: Three pediatric patients (age range 17-65 mo) underwent primary hypofractionated GKRS in 2-3 consecutive days with interfraction interval of 24 h. All patients had precocious puberty and were on GnRH analogue. Frame based GKRS done with 8.1-9.2 Gy radiation per fraction at 50% isodose in 2-3 fractions targeting the entire hamartoma volume. The mean target volume was 5.67 cc (4.45-7.39 cc). The authors followed these patients for clinical and endocrinological assessment at every 6 mo interval while the repeat MRI done at 6 mo and then annually. The seizure outcome analysis was done using Engel scale. RESULTS: At a mean follow up of 27 mo (24-30 mo), 2 patients became Engel class 3 while one achieved Engel class 1 control. 2 patients showed halted pubertal growth with no additional hormonal aberration. 2 patients showed significant volumetric reduction (48% and 32%) and patchy necrosis inside the hypothalamic hamartoma (HH). There was no deficit in visual function, memory and cognition. One patient showed reduction in aggressiveness. CONCLUSION: Giant HH are exceptionally difficult neurological diseases. Primary hypofractionated GKRS may be an alternative approach as mono/multitherapy with promising results and minimal complication.