Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-10-2025
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Traditional imaging modalities for the planning of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) are non-specific and do not accurately delineate intracranial neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) for the planning of GKRS for intracranial neoplasms (ICNs) and the post-GKRS applications of PET for patient care.
METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were searched in order to assemble relevant studies regarding the uses of PET in conjunction with GKRS for ICN treatment. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to identify relevant studies on the use of PET in conjunction with GKRS. Particular emphasis was placed on review articles and medical research investigating tumor delineation and post-operative care. Relevant studies were selected and assessed based on quality measures, including study design, sample size, and significance. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to examine the yield of the initial search (n = 105). After a secondary review, the included results were identified (n = 50).
RESULTS: This study revealed that PET imaging is highly accurate for the planning of GKRS. In fact, many cases indicate that it is more specific than traditional imaging modalities. PET is also capable of complementing traditional imaging techniques through combination imaging. This showed significant efficacy for the planning of GKRS for ICNs.
CONCLUSIONS: While PET shows a multitude of applications for the treatment of ICNs with GKRS, further research is necessary to assemble a complete set of clinical guidelines for treatment specifications. Importantly, future studies need a greater standardization of methods and expanded trials with a multitude of radiotracers.
Recommended Citation
Subtirelu, Robert C.; Teichner, Eric M.; Writer, Milo; Bryan, Kevin; Patil, Shiv; Khan, Talha; Herpin, Lancelot; Patel, Raj N.; Christner, Emily; Parikh, Chitra; Werner, Thomas; Alavi, Abass; and Revheim, Mona-Elisabeth, "Optimizing Stereotactic Intracranial Neoplasm Treatment: A Systematic Review of PET Integration with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery" (2025). SKMC Student Presentations and Publications. Paper 68.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/skmcstudentworks/68
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Language
English
Included in
Investigative Techniques Commons, Neoplasms Commons, Oncology Commons, Surgical Procedures, Operative Commons, Therapeutics Commons
Comments
This article is the author’s final published version in Diseases, Volume 13, Issue 7, 2025, Article number 215.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13070215. Copyright © 2025 by the authors.