• Introduction to Gamma Knife Surgery
• Gamma Knife Institute of Texas
• Patient Information

At 20 tons, this is not a knife in any usual sense. Actually, the Gamma Knife® is a device for a form of neurosurgery that requires no incision. It can reduce surgical complications and shortens the average patient's hospital stay to an outpatient procedure.

LEARN MORE about the Gamma Knife®: WEB-BASED POWERPOINT PRESENTATION VIDEO:  Select Your Internet Connection Speed: 28K  56K  ISDN  512DSL  Requires Real Player WORD & TEXT DOCUMENTS

How it Works

The Gamma Knife® directs 201 beams of ionizing gamma radiation to a targeted area within the brain. Intersecting at the target, the concentrated rays attempt to eradicate small- to medium-sized tumors and vascular abnormalities. Meanwhile, surrounding tissues receive minimal radiation exposure. Highly sophisticated, three-dimensional computer guidance  gives the Gamma Knife its amazing exactness--accurate down to one half of a millimeter, about the width of a human hair.

Developed by Swedish Professor Lars Leksell, this unique neurosurgical tool combines a stereotactic frame (for head support and radiation targeting) with a collimator helmet (for radiation guidance) and a source of radiation (Cobalt-60).

Potential Candidates for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

• Patients with benign or malignant intracranial tumors, vascular malformation, or trigeminal neuralgia.
• Patients with surgically inaccessible brain lesions.
• Patients who are medically unable to undergo conventional surgery.
• Patients with recurrent tumors.
• Patients whose tumors could not be completely removed with conventional surgery
• Patients of all ages, including children.

Advantages of Gamma Knife Treatment

• The Gamma Knife ensures only abnormal tissue is treated while surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected.
• Because the Gamma Knife does not require an incision, risk associated with infection and bleeding is not a concern.
• While conventional neurosurgery requires lengthy hospital stays and a potentially long recovery period, Gamma Knife patients are able to resume normal activities within 24-48 hours.
• Gamma Knife radiosurgery costs 30-70% less than a craniotomy.
• Gamma  Knife radiosurgery is a one time  treatment.

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BRAIN INFORMATION

CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS ANATOMY RADIOLOGY SURGERY

BRAIN LINKS

American Academy of Neurology National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke AANS/CNS

CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS

BRAIN SPINE (Cervical) PERIPHERAL NERVE

RESOURCES

NEUROSURGERY ONCALL SUPPORT GROUPS GUILFORD PHARMACEUTICALS MEDICAL INFORMATION LINKS DFW-NeuroNetwork

The Gamma Knife® has been used to treat:

Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) Acoustic Tumors Intractable Cancer Pain Pituitary Adenomas Meningiomas Cramopharyngiomas Pineal Region Tumors Metastatic Tumors Glomus Tumors Trigeminial Neuralgia Ocular Tumors

Potential applications being researched include:

Parkinsonism Epilepsy Aneurysm