The analysis of the risk factors in Gamma knife radiosurgery for benign meningiomas

Doctoral thesis represents results of analysis of stereotactic radiosurgical treatment of meningiomas, benign intracranial tumors, and the risk factors related to the treatment in 368 patients with 400 meningiomas treated at the Department of Stereotactic and Radiation Neurosurgery, Na Homolce Hospital in Prague between 1992 and 1999. Detailed analysis of the results of skull base meningiomas was performed, as well as analysis of long-term results. An edema prediction model was created in order to identify patients with higher risk for post treatment complications with its practical clinical implication. The actuarial tumor 5 and 10 years control was 97,9% and 94,7% respectively, what confirmes efficiency of radiosurgical treatment, with low permanent morbidity of 6,4% and zero mortality. Radiosurgery as a minimally invasive technique is a treatment of choice of meningiomas in skull base filfilling size criteria; as a part of multimodal approach in large meningiomas, which cannot be excised completely, in patients, who would not tolerate operative procedure and in elderly. Doctoral thesis consists of seven chapters and 4 appendices.The first chapter deals with theoretical background of meningioma as a nosologic entity. Hypotheses and goals of the study are defined in the second chapter. The third chapter..