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Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2001; 44(2): 110-113
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16009
ORIGINAL PAPER
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

An Intramural Macrocyst of an Acoustic Neurinoma Rupturing after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: A Case Report

A. Bertalanffy1 , M. Aichholzer1 , A. Reinprecht1 , R. Brix3 , A. Ertl1 , K. Heimberger2 , K. Kitz1
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Vienna, Medical School, Vienna, Austria
  • 2Department of Radiology, Division: Neuroradiology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Vienna, Austria
  • 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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We want to describe the rare case when an intramural macrocyst within an acoustic neurinoma (ACN) treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) ruptured, followed by an impressive decrease of tumor volume and improvement of neurological symptoms. In a 59-year-old female patient, a large ACN with a hugh intramural macrocyst was diagnosed. As she refused open surgery, we performed GKRS covering the tumor margin and the cyst with 11 Gy. Seven months after treatment symptoms worsened slightly. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no significant change of tumor volume. One year after GKRS she felt a sensation behind her treated ear, followed by an immediate improvement of all her symptoms. Trigeminal hypaesthesia and vertigo disappeared, tinnitus ameliorated. A control MRI showed the cystic compartment no longer, the solid part shrunk within the following six years. Within the whole follow-up period hearing was stable. To our knowledge this is the first report of a macrocyst within an ACN to rupture after GKRS.

Key words:

Acoustic Neurinoma - Cyst Formation - Stereotactic Radiosurgery - Gamma Knife

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Corresponding Author:

A. Bertalanffy,M.D. 

Department of Neurosurgery
University of Vienna
Medical School

Waehringer Guertel 18 - 20

1090 Vienna

Austria

Phone: Phone:+43-1-404002566

Fax: Fax:+43-1-404004566

Email: E-mail:alexander.bertalanffy@univie.ac.at