Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Procedure

Adults are generally kept awake during the treatment, but children are usually given anesthesia to prevent them from moving during the procedure. The treatment may take several hours.

1. Preparation The patient’s scalp is numbed in preparation for the procedure. Pins that press just under the head secure a frame to the head.
2. Mapping An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT scan (computerized tomography) creates a three-dimensional map. Comparing the reference points on the frame, the neurosurgeon will pinpoint the tumor, lesion or area to be treated.
3. Planning the Procedure Using the imaging scans, the expert medical team will plan the treatment process to accurately deliver the correct amount of radiation to the area.
4. Gamma Treatment The machine directs beams of gamma radiation from many angles into the targeted point.
5. After Care Once the head frame is removed, the pin holes on the scalp may be a bit sore, and the patient may have a headache or feel nauseated. The patient may not notice results of the procedure right away; effects can take several weeks, months and sometimes longer.