Investigation of the effects of Gamma Knife radiosurgery on optic pathways using diffusion tensor MRI within the first year after treatment

Purpose: To investigate the radiation-induced effects of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for sellar-parasellar tumors on optic pathways using DTI parameters within the first year after treatment. Methods: Twenty-five patients with sellar-parasellar tumors underwent MRI before and 3 months after GKRS, including T1WI, DTI, T2WI. Moreover, 21 patients underwent follow-up DTI 6–8 months after radiosurgery. ROIs were set on optic nerves, optic radiations, and control localizations; DTI parameters for each were calculated. Pre- and post-radiosurgery differences in DTI values were statistically compared and assessed with respect to tumor size changes. Results: Following GKRS, DTI parameters, notably ADC, FA, and RD, showed statistically significant changes in optic nerves and anterior optic radiations. DTI changes were more significant in the group of cases with tumor shrinkage. In this group, DTI of the anterior optic radiations further deteriorated 3 months post-GKRS, whereas acute changes in DTI parameters of the optic nerves resolved within 6–8 months. DTI of central and posterior optic radiations did not differ significantly following radiosurgery; 6–8 months after radiosurgery, visual function was stable in 14 (56%) patients and improved in 11 (44%), showing no correlation with tumor size changes or DTI parameters. Conclusion: White Matter (WM) injury in the optic pathways can be induced by Gamma Knife radiosurgery targeted to sellar and parasellar tumors. Following GKRS, microstructural abnormalities occurred in the optic radiations as well as the optic nerves within the first post-treatment year. Our findings could support modifications to radiosurgical treatment strategies to minimize the risk of permanent WM injury.