Gamma knife surgery plus intracystic isotope injection for the treatment of craniopharyngioma

Sixteen patients (7 females, 9 males) with craniopharyngioma were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery between November 1993 and December 1994. Thirteen out of sixteen patients were pathologically verified. Prior surgical treatments were subtotal or partial removal of the tumors in 6 and stereotactic biopsy with cyst drainage using Ommaya reservoir in 7. The mean diameter of the tumors was 32.0 mm and the mean volume 12688 mm(3) (include cystic component). The solid part of tumors were treated with mean maximum dose of 32 gy and marginal dose of 16 Gy. after gamma knife surgery, 7 patients with the cystic component of craniopharyngioma were treated by intracystic colloidal P-32 injection. All lesions were well responded to this treatment with mean follow-up period of 31 months. Pertinent clinical data and results of treatment are described.