Stereotactic linac radiosurgery and hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for pediatric arteriovenous malformations of the brain: experiences of a single institution

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate treatment results and toxicity of stereotactic irradiation for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children. METHODS: A group of ten consecutive children (four boys and six girls) irradiated between 2002 and 2010 at our institution was included into the study. The mean age at the time of treatment was 15.4 and ranged between 8 and 18 years. There were two Spetzler–Martin grade IV, four grade III, and four grade II lesions. Mean AVM volume was 13.2 cm(3) and varied from 0.6 to 36.8 cm(3). In five patients, the planned dose of 16–20 Gy was delivered in single fraction, in five the total dose of 16–24 Gy was delivered in two to three fractions. One patient was reirradiated with a dose of 15 Gy, 7 years after the initial treatment. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 38.5 months. The treatment resulted in total obliteration in eight patients and partial in one. The median time to obliteration was 22 months; actuarial total obliteration rates were 20, 54, 54, and 83 % after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years of follow-up, respectively. No patient bled after the treatment. In one patient, new epileptic seizures developed after the treatment; in magnetic resonance imaging, focal necrosis was revealed. In five patients, asymptomatic imaging abnormalities were seen during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic radiotherapy appears to be an effective method of treatment for pediatric AVMs, the patients however require meticulous follow-up because of relative high incidence of radiation-induced imaging abnormalities.