Ib. Ross et Ch. Tator, STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY FOR ACOUSTIC NEUROMA - A CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE, Canadian journal of neurological sciences, 25(4), 1998, pp. 310-314
Stereotactically delivered radiation is now an accepted treatment for
patients with acoustic neuroma. In some cases, patient preference may
be the reason for its selection, while in others neurosurgeons may sel
ect it for patients who are elderly or have significant risk factors f
or conventional surgery. The majority of patients with acoustic neurom
a treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery have been treated with the
Gamma Knife, with follow ups of over 25 years in some instances. Other
radiosurgical modalities utilizing the linear accelerator have been d
eveloped and appear promising, but there is no long-term: follow up. C
anada does not possess a Gamma Knife facility, and its government-fund
ed hospital and medical insurance agencies have made it difficult for
patients to obtain reimbursement for Gamma Knife treatments in other c
ountries. We review the literature to date on the various forms of rad
iation treatment for acoustic neuroma and discuss the current issues f
acing physicians and patients in Canada who wish to obtain their treat
ment of choice.