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Anyone have Encephalomalacia and Gliosis after brain surgery?
I had a craniotomy 5 months ago to remove a large frontal lobe meningioma. I recently had an MRI and the report included encephalomalacia and gliosis among the findings. I read a few internet articles and found these conditions to be a softening and scarring of brain tissue that can occur from TBI, infection, surgery or even drug abuse. I’m starting IMRT soon and am concerned about the effects of 60 Gray of radiation going into an already injured area. I spoke with the radiation oncologist who said that in her experience it was unusual to NOT encounter these conditions after surgery. This was a little bit comforting but I still postponed the start of treatment by a week to get comments from the neurosurgeon. Still waiting for neurosurgeon response. Does anyone else here have this condition and how has it affected you?
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Has anyone tried the Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery for meningioma?
@netski
Is that the same as 'Gamma Knife"?
I'm about to.
janeelaine
@janeelaine
Hi, its more or less the same except that inthe gamma knife, a metal hat will be latched to your head. Inthe cyberknife, only a mess is place on your head and ites robotic. Try to google it or ask you doctor.
@netski
I mean mesh wil be placed on your head.
@netski and @janeelaine, you are both referring to brain stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/brain-stereotactic-radiosurgery/about/pac-20384679
There are different brand names and types of SRS including:
- Gamma Knife surgery uses tiny particles of energy called photons. With Gamma Knife surgery, the photons come from gamma rays. The machine points around 200 beams of gamma rays at the treatment area. Gamma Knife is often used to treat small- to medium-sized tumors, AVMs and trigeminal neuralgia.
- Linear accelerator (LINAC) systems also use photons, but from X-rays. Brand names include Varian Edge, CyberKnife and others. LINAC systems can treat larger tumors, and these systems can be used in other parts of the body. Some systems use robotic arms and motion tracking to ensure the radiation stays on target.
- Proton beam therapy uses protons to treat brain cancers. Protons are parts of atoms with a positive charge. Proton beams are unique because they deposit most of their energy directly at the tumor site, sparing healthy tissues nearby. This makes proton therapy especially useful for tumors near sensitive areas like the brainstem or optic nerves. And it's useful for longer courses of radiation.
You might be interested in these related discussions:
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery Surgery (Gamma or Cyberknife) for Meningioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gamma-knife-radio-surgery-for-meningioma/
- Cyberknife surgery for Meniogima side effects? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cybernight-surgery-for-meniogima-side-effects/