Recent advances  has propagated a renewed interest in radiation therapy as an upfront treatment modality to gain a better disease control in various brain tumors. 

     The present study is a retrospective analysis to determine the outcome of patients with intracranial ependymoma treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

     Between May 2008 and August 2011, 16 patients with intracranial ependymoma were treated with Gamma knife Radiosurgery at Pakistan Gamma Knife & Stereotactic Radiosurgery Center using 201 source Co. 60 Leksell Gamma knife 4c. The ages ranged from 2yrs. to 76 yrs. ( mean age 26.18 yrs.). Nine patients were in infratentorial location and seven were in supratentorial location.

     The irradiated tumor volume varied from 4.5 to 71.2 cc ( mean 22.06 cc). The median dose delivered to tumor margin was 13.8 Gy ( range 10-18 Gy ). The mean max. dose was 27.6 Gy ( range 20- 36 Gy.).

     The median follow up was 22.11 months (range 6- 40 months.). Réduction or stabilisation was seen in 11 out of 16 patients (68 %). In five patients total tumor resolution was achieved. No complications occurred as a side effect of radiosurgery. Local failure occured in two patients, distant failure occured in two patients, both in one patient.

     This was a retrospective study.

     For patients with intracranial ependymoma gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective treatment option which achieves high rates of local tumor control.