Long term treatment efficacy & complications of hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery in brain arteriovenous malformations

J Clin Neurosci. 2020 Dec;82(Pt B):241-246. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.10.057. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate long term treatment efficacy and complications of hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (hfSRS) and identify factors that predict outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 34 consecutive patients who received hfSRS from 2008 to 2017. Demographic, clinical, angio-architectural characteristics, and radiosurgery data were extracted from the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System and our unit's iPlan (BrainLAB, Munich) system. Data was analysed using SPSS.

Results: 5-year obliteration rate was 39.1%. Most patients (n = 29, 85.3%) recovered well with GOS of 4-5. 26.9% (n = 9) patients have at least one post-radiosurgery complication including hemorrhage, neurological deficits, radionecrosis. Neurological morbidity and mortality was 17.6% (n = 6). A higher modified radiosurgery arteriovenous malformation score (mRBAS) is associated with a lower 5-year obliteration rate (Rho = -0.486, p = 0.025). None of the bAVM were obliterated once mRBAS exceeds 5.35. As expected, a larger 20-Gy volume outside lesion is associated with more complications and poorer GOS. Interestingly, irradiated drainage vein volume indexed to AVM volume (iiDVV) correlates with increased risks of post-hfSRS haemorrhage (Rho = 0.472, p = 0.031) and reduced event-free survival (Rho = -0.472, p = 0.031). Once iiDVV exceeds 20%, a high rebleeding rate after hfSRS is anticipated (AUC under ROC 0.889).

Conclusion: Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery is an alternative radiosurgery treatment for bAVM unsuitable for single-fraction SRS. mRBAS predicts obliteration rate and morbidity in hfSRS. Index irradiated drainage vein volume (iiDVV) is associated with event-free survival and rebleeding and should be minimized if feasible.

Keywords: Arteriovenous malformation; Drainage vein; Drainage vein volume; Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery; Radiosurgery score.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Radiation Injuries / complications*
  • Radiosurgery / adverse effects*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult