Treatment of cystic astrocytomas with intracavitary phosphorus 32.

Cyst formation by astrocytomas can cause progressive neurological deficit and can necessitate multiple surgical procedures. Before the advent of computed tomography (CT) preoperative diagnosis of cystic astrocytomas was difficult and stereotactic management of these lesions was limited. CT-guided stereotaxy provides a safe approach to all cystic astrocytomas including brain stem lesions. Based upon the experience of intracavitary radiation of craniopharyngioma cysts, the authors treated nine patients presenting with cystic astrocytomas utilizing colloidal chromium phosphorus 32 (32P). Control of cyst formation was achieved in eight patients. Our preliminary data suggest that intracavitary 32P may provide a significant adjunctive therapy in the management of cystic astrocytomas.