• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2003

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a Linear accelerator based Photon Knife Radiosurgery System developed by the staff of Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center for the treatment of cerebral arterlovenous malformation Material and Methods : Between December 1993 and October 2000, 30 patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) were treated with the Linac based Photon knife Radlosurgery System In the Department of Therapeutlc Radiology at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. The median age was 34, ranging from 7 to 63 years, with a 2 : 1 male to female ratio. The locations of the AVM nidi were the frontal lobe (motor cortex), parletal lobe, and the thalamus, In that order. The diameters of the AVM nidi ranged 1.2 to 5.5 cm with a mean on 2.9 cm, and target volumes of between 0.5 and 20.5 cc, with a mean of 5.8 cc. The majority of patients received radiation doses of between 1,500 and 2,500 cGy, w14h a mean of 2,000 cGy, at 80% the isodose line. Twenty-five patients were treated with one isocenter, 4 with two, and 1 with four. The follow-up radiological evaluations were peformed with cranial computed tomogram (CT) or MRI between 6 month and one year interval, and if the AVM nidus had completely disappeared in the CT or MRI, we confirmed thls was a complete obliteration, with a cerebral or magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). The median iollow-up period was 39 months with a range of 10 to 103 months. Results : Twenty patients were radloiogicaiiy followed up ior over 20 months, with complete obliteration observed in 14 (70%). According to the maximal diameter, all four of the small AVM (<2 cm) completely obliterated, 8 of the 10 patients with a medium AVW (2~3 cm) showed a complete obliteration, and two showed partial obliteration. Among the patients with a large AVM (>3 cm), only one showed complete obliteration, and S showed partial obliteration, but 3 oT these underwent further radiosurgery 3 years later. One who followed up for 20 months fellowing further radiosurgery eventually showed complete obliteration. Ten patients with seizure symptoms had no recurrent seizure due to radiosurgery and medication. One of the eleven patients who suffered intracranlal bleeding developed further bleeding at 9 and 51 months fellowing the radiosurgery although complete obliteration was eventually observed and the patient was managed in hospital then recovered. No patient suffered severe complications fellowing the radiosurgery. Conclusion : The radiosurgery with Linac-based Photon knife radiosurgery system, developed by the staff at our hospital, is a safe and effective treatment for AVM patients having diameters or volumes of less than 3 cm or 10 cm$^{3}$, respectively, located In Inoperable areas or who refused neurosurgery. We suggest that staged AVM radiosurgery may initially be considered, if the AVM target volume is above 10 cm$^{3}$

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.393-399
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• 1994

Spinal cord compression, an oncologic emergency, is a rare complication of hematologic malignancy Our experience was obtained with a series 32 Patients following retrospective analysis for assessing the role of radiation therapy and identifying the prognostic factors affecting on treatment outcome. Diagnosis was usually made by means of radiologic study such as myelography or computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurologic examination. Five cases were diagnosed by subjective symptom only with high index of suspicion. In 31 cases, the treatment consisted in radiation therapy alone and the remained one patient had laminectomy before radiation therapy because of diagnostic doubts. Total treatment doses ranged from 800 cGy to 4000 cGy with median of 2000 cGy. Initially large fraction size more than 250 cGy were used in 13 patients with rapidly progressed neurologic deficit. The clinical parameters considered in evaluating the response to treatment were backache, motor-sensory performance and sphincter function. Half of all patients showed good response. Partial response and no response were noted in $37.5\%$ and $12.5\%$, respectively. Our results showed higher response rate than those of other solid tumor series. The degree of neurologic deficit at that time of diagnosis was the most important predictor of treatment outcome. The elapsed time from development of symptoms to start of treatment was significantly affected on the outcome. But histology of primary tumor total dose and use of initial large fraction size were not significantly affect on the outcome. These results confirmed the value of early diagnosis and treatment especially in radiosensitive hematologic malignancy.