Stereotactic Radiosurgery for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Meningiomas

Meningiomas are the most frequently reported neuro-oncologic condition, accounting for 12% to 30% of all primary intracranial tumors. The first case of intracranial meningioma treated with stereotactic radiosurgery was reported by Backlund E-O in 1971. Since then, more than 200,000 meningiomas have been treated with stereotactic radiosurgery worldwide to date. The large number of patients treated using this method is due to the fact that meningiomas are frequently located in critical areas and microsurgery is often associated with severe and permanent neurological complications. This book discusses the advantages, risks and limits of stereotactic radiosurgery relating to all regions of interest for a neuroradiosurgical approach for the treatment of central nervous system meningiomas. Firstly, it presents an introduction focusing on the “state of the art”. It then discusses the physics, imaging, neurological and neuro-oncological issues in multidisciplinary management. Lastly,it features a summary of results, including the most recent published papers regarding all the locations involved in the stereotactic radiosurgery treatment as well as new approaches to meningiomas, with particular reference to the hypofrationated treatments. Intended for anyone involved in the neuroradiosurgical treatment of brain diseases, the book provides an up-to-date overview of the latest stereotactic radiosurgery treatment of central nervous system meningiomas.