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. 2022 Dec;45(6):3657-3663.
doi: 10.1007/s10143-022-01838-9. Epub 2022 Jul 26.

Intraoperative radiotherapy during awake craniotomies: preliminary results of a single-center case series

K Steininger  1 , K H Kahl  2 , I Konietzko  3 , C Wolfert  3 , S Motov  3 , P E Krauß  3 , T Bröcheler  4 , M Hadrawa  4 , B Sommer  3 , G Stüben  2 , E Shiban  3
Affiliations

Intraoperative radiotherapy during awake craniotomies: preliminary results of a single-center case series

K Steininger et al. Neurosurg Rev. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Awake craniotomies are performed to avoid postoperative neurological deficits when resecting lesions in the eloquent cortex, especially the speech area. Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has recently focused on optimizing the oncological treatment of primary malignant brain tumors and metastases. Herein, for the first time, we present preliminary results of IORT in the setting of awake craniotomies. From 2021 to 2022, all patients undergoing awake craniotomies for tumor resection combined with IORT were analyzed retrospectively. Demographical and clinical data, operative procedure, and treatment-related complications were evaluated. Five patients were identified (age (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 65 ± 13.5 years (y)). A solid left frontal metastasis was detected in the first patient (female, 49 y). The second patient (male, 72 y) presented with a solid metastasis on the left parietal lobe. The third patient (male, 52 y) was diagnosed with a left temporoparietal metastasis. Patient four (male, 74 y) was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma on the left frontal lobe. A metastasis on the left temporooccipital lobe was detected in the fifth patient (male, 78 y). After awake craniotomy and macroscopic complete tumor resection, intraoperative tumor bed irradiation was carried out with 50 kV x-rays and a total of 20 Gy for 16.7 ± 2.5 min. During a mean follow-up of 6.3 ± 2.6 months, none of the patients developed any surgery- or IORT-related complications or disabling permanent neurological deficits. Intraoperative radiotherapy in combination with awake craniotomy seems to be feasible and safe.

Keywords: Awake craniotomy; Eloquently located brain tumor; Intraoperative radiotherapy; Preliminary results.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
According to the resection cavity, different diameters of the spherical applicator from 1.5 to 5.0 cm are available to carry out the intraoperative irradiation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
After inserting the applicator sphere, intraoperative irradiation is performed with 50-kV x-rays via an INTRABEAM system
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a Preoperative CT of the neurocranium, b preoperative brain MRI, and c MRI after surgery
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
IORT following metastasis resection via an asleep-awake-asleep approach in the surgery room of the University Hospital Augsburg
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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