Radiosurgery using a stereotactic headframe system for irradiation of brain tumors in dogs

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Dec 1;219(11):1562-7, 1550. doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.219.1562.

Abstract

Radiation therapy of brain tumors in dogs typically involves administration of multiple fractions over several weeks. Fractionation is used to minimize damage to normal tissue. Radiosurgery uses multiple non-coplanar stereotactically focused beams of radiation in a series of arcs to deliver a single dose to the target with extreme accuracy. The large number of beams facilitates a high degree of conformation between the treatment area and the target tumor and allows for a steep dose gradient; the use of nonintersecting arcs minimizes exposure of normal tissue. Computed tomography with a stereotactic localizer secured to the skull allows generation of a 3-dimensional image of the target and provides accurate spatial coordinates for computerized treatment planning and delivery. Three dogs were treated with radiosurgery, using 1,000 to 1,500 cGy. A linear accelerator mounted on a rotating gantry was used to generate and deliver the radiation. Two dogs with meningiomas survived 227 and 56 weeks after radiosurgery. A dog with an oligodendroglioma survived 66 weeks. No complications were observed following the use of this technique.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / surgery*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Meningioma / surgery
  • Meningioma / veterinary*
  • Radiosurgery / instrumentation
  • Radiosurgery / methods
  • Radiosurgery / veterinary*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary