Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in the Management of Intracranial Meningiomas in Sulaimani-Kurdistan region-Iraq

Hussain, Ari Sami

doi:10.64554/njphn.2026.193003

	Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in the Management of Intracranial Meningiomas in Sulaimani-Kurdistan region-Iraq
Ninevah Journal of Public Health & Nursing
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 04 September 2026
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.64554/njphn.2026.193003
Author
Ari Sami Hussain^*
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Abstract
Background: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, majority of the tumors are benign (WHO Grade I). While surgical resection remains the gold standard in the treatment of these lesions, Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has emerged as a viable alternative especially in difficult to access locations and patients unsuitable for open resection. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of GKRS in patients with intracranial meningiomas treated at Shar Hospital, Sulaimani, Iraq. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at Shar Hospital, Sulaimani, Iraq, from June 2021 to August 2024. Twenty-seven patients with meningiomas of various intracranial locations were analyzed. Data include demographics, tumor characteristics, pre- and post-GKRS tumor volumes, follow-up outcomes and complications. Patients were followed for a mean duration of 67.56 months. Result: The cohort comprised 23 females (85.2%) and 4 males (14.8%), with a mean age of 59.6 years. GKRS demonstrated favorable outcomes, with tumor control was achieved in 88.9% of patients (stable or regressed tumors), while 11.1% showed progression. Pre-GKRS tumor size significantly predicted post-treatment size (β=0.100, p<0.001), but no significant associations were found between outcomes and age, gender, prior surgery, or tumor location. Complication occurred in 18.5% of the patients. Conclusion: GKRS is an effective and safe modality for long-term tumor control in patients with intracranial meningiomas, particularly when surgery is not feasible. The results support its use as a primary or adjuvant therapy. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate predictors of treatment response, particularly tumor location.
Keywords
Meningioma; Gamma-Knife; Radiosurgery; Tumor Control; Intracranial Tumors; stereotactic radiosurgery; progression-Free Survival

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