Pediatric Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation: Long-Term Outcomes with Linear Accelerator (LINAC)-Based Radiosurgery

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze and report the long-term outcomes of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM) treated with linear accelerator (LINAC)-based radiosurgery (LBRS) in the pediatric population.

Methods and Materials

A series of 34 pediatric patients (≤18 years old) who were treated between 2002 and 2016 were analyzed. All patients were treated with LBRS in a single fraction, with a median dose of 16.8 Gy to the 80% isodose line. Median age at treatment was 14.4 years (range 5.5-18.9). Median AVM volume was 2.91 mL (range 0.228-27.313). Median modified radiosurgery-based AVM score was 0.83 (range 0.18-2.96). The most common presenting symptom was intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (n = 22, 64.7%). Nine patients underwent intervention before LBRS, which included prior embolization or resection. Seven lesions were in eloquent locations, defined as basal ganglia, thalamus, or brainstem. Cerebral angiography was done to confirm obliteration.

Results

Median follow-up time was 98 months (range 36-200 months). Twenty-two of the 34 lesions were obliterated (64.7%) with median time to obliteration of 37 months (range 14-79). No deaths occurred during the follow up period; however, two patients experienced ICH after treatment. Three other patients were treated for symptomatic radiation necrosis.

Conclusions

Treatment of intracranial AVM with LBRS in the pediatric population is demonstrated to be safe and effective with long-term follow up.