LINC-02. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery as an efficacious treatment for Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors: A Retrospective Study of 61 Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Brain tumors have an incidence of 1.15 to 5.14 cases per 100,000 children and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Radiosurgery has become a promising approach to manage these pediatric CNS tumors. The aim of the present study was to analyse the efficacy of radiosurgery in the treatment of a variety of pediatric tumors of CNS METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from 1997-2012 at a single Neurosurgery centre. All paediatric patients (≤ 18 years of age) with CNS tumours who were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and had a minimum follow up of 6 months were included in the study. Patients with lesions other than tumours were excluded. Clinical, radiological and GKRS planning data was collected and analysed in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 76 children with brain tumors had GKRS during the study period. Of these, 40 children (with 61 neoplasms) had follow up available and were included in the study. The mean age was 16 years (6-18 years). 17 patients received primary GKRS, 20 patients received secondary and 3 patients received both. The median tumor volume was 3.3cm3 (0.14 - 38.9 cm3). The mean dose was 12.56 Gy at 50% isodose line. The majority of the tumors were Meningioma (n=20) followed by Acoustic Schwannoma (n=17). The mean treatment time was 67.04 minutes. 33 tumors responded favourably to GKRS, 24 showed a stable size, 3 had no response while 1 progressed requiring surgery. CONCLUSION: GKRS has the potential to become an indispensable tool in the management of pediatric brain neoplasms