ABSTRACT
The majority of spinal meningiomas, schwannomas, and neurofibromas are noninfiltrative and can be completely and safely resected using microsurgical techniques. However, the limitations of surgical options for some patients with benign tumors of the spine make radiosurgery an attractive alternative. Most benign tumors of the spine enhance brightly and have well-defined margins, making target delineation rather straightforward. In 2001, the feasibility of image-guided spine radiosurgery for benign tumors was established when researchers at Stanford University reported the first clinical experience, which included two spinal schwannomas and one spinal meningioma. Because the life expectancy of most of these patients is considered to be normal and because radiation injury can take years to manifest, there is more controversy regarding radiosurgery for the management of benign tumors of the spine. Radiation therapy has been used for the treatment of numerous benign diseases since the discovery of the therapeutic potential of ionizing radiation.
