Value of serial magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of brain metastases volume control during stereotactic radiosurgery

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate brain metastases volume control capabilities of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) through serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging follow-up. METHODS: MR examinations of 54 brain metastases in 31 patients before and after SRS were reviewed. Patients were included in this study if they had a pre-treatment MR examination and serial follow-up MR examinations at 6 wk, 9 wk, 12 wk, and 12 mo after SRS. The metastasis volume change was categorized at each follow-up as increased (> 20% of the initial volume), stable (+/- 20% of the initial volume) or decreased (< 20% of the initial volume). RESULTS: A local tumor control with a significant (P < 0.05) volume decrease was observed in 25 metastases at 6-wk follow-up. Not significant volume change was observed in 23 metastases and a significant volume increase was observed in 6 metastases. At