Meta-analysis of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery for pediatric patients with brain tumors and arteriovenous malformation

There are limited data on the efficacy of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for pediatric patients. A meta-analysis of 68 studies investigated the rates of local control with cranial SRS in 400 pediatric patients with brain tumors and 5119 pediatric patients with arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The rate of local control was 89% (95% CI 82-95) for benign tumors, 71% (59-82) for malignant tumors, and 65% (60-69) for AVMs. No significant associations were identified for local control with patient-, tumor-, or treatment-related variables. The authors conclude that cranial SRS appears to provide acceptable rates of local control in pediatric patients.