Neurological complications and symptom resolution following Gamma Knife surgery for brain metastases 2 cm or smaller in relation to eloquent cortices.

Abstract

Gamma Knife surgery performed using a 20-Gy dose provides amelioration of neurological deficits from brain metastases that are < or = 2 cm in diameter and located in or near eloquent cortices in nearly two-thirds of patients with a low incidence of morbidity. Consistent with the surgical literature, higher rates of neurological complications were observed as proximity to eloquent regions and lesion size increased. There was no neurological deterioration in patients harboring metastases in noneloquent areas.