Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Cerebellopontine Angle Meningiomas: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND: Resection of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas may result in significant neurological morbidity. Radiosurgery offers a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in a multicenter cohort study, the outcomes of patients harboring CPA meningiomas who underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). METHODS: From 7 institutions participating in the North American Gamma Knife Consortium, 177 patients with benign CPA meningiomas treated with GKRS and at least 6 months radiologic follow-up were included for analysis. The mean age was 59 years and 84% were female. Dizziness or imbalance (48%) and cranial nerve (CN) VIII dysfunction (45%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The median tumor volume and prescription dose were 3.6 cc and 13 Gy, respectively. The mean radiologic and clinical follow-up durations were 47 and 46 months, respectively. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of tumor progression and neurological deterioration. RESULTS: The actuarial rates of progression-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 93% and 77%, respectively. Male sex (P =.014), prior fractionated radiation therapy (P =.010), and ataxia at presentation (P =.002) were independent predictors of tumor progression. Symptomatic adverse radiation effects and permanent neurological deterioration were observed in 1.1% and 9% of patients, respectively. Facial spasms at presentation (P =.007) and lower maximal dose (P =.011) were independently associated with neurological deterioration. CONCLUSION: GKRS is an effective therapy for CPA meningiomas. Depending on the patient and tumor characteristics, radiosurgery can be an adjuvant treatment to initial surgical resection or a standalone procedure that obviates the need for resection in most patients.