Single-center prospective study of minimally invasive keyhole craniotomy and stereotactic brachytherapy for new brain oligometastases

A prospective study at Ochsner Medical Center (New Orleans, LA) evaluated minimally invasive keyhole craniotomy (MIKC) combined with Cs-131 brachytherapy for newly diagnosed brain oligometastases (6 or less). The 1-year local freedom from progression was 92%, while the 1–year distant freedom from progression was 54%. The median overall survival was 5.9 months, likely impacted by the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic. There were no cases of radiation necrosis. Significant improvements were seen in neurological, functional, and cognitive symptoms. The authors conclude that combining MIKC with Cs-131 brachytherapy is effective for local tumor control and improving functional outcomes in patients with newly-diagnosed brain oligometastases.