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GAMMA
KNIFE
It’s a revolutionary treatment tool for brain tumors
and other abnormalities within the brain. And despite its
name, it is light years beyond being a mere cutting tool with
a sharp blade. Rather, the Gamma Knife is a simple name for
a highly sophisticated method of treating certain intracanial
disorders without open surgery. Instead, this advanced piece
of equipment issues radiation to perform precision treatment
with minimal effects on surrounding healthy brain tissue.
 The
need for an advanced instrument that could treat deep-seated
intracranial structures without the risks of invasive open-skull
surgery was recognized nearly six decades ago by Swedish neurosurgeon
Lars Lekssell. This research led him to the development of
the prototype Gamma knife in 1968 in Stockholm. With more
than 100,00 patients treated worldwide since its inception,
the knife has earned an unprecedented rate of success. This
has particularly been true during the last 10 to 15 years,
as imaging techniques and computer software have become more
powerful. Now, we can target a lesion within a tenth of a
millimeter and can make the radiation the same shape as the
tumor!
SDNSI neurosurgeons utilize the Gamma Knife at Scripps Memorial
Hospital, La Jolla. It is an open facility, available for
experienced neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists in the
San Diego area who have received credentialing by the Gamma
Knife Center Medical Advisory Committee. In addition to meeting
the standard credentialing requirements, our neurosurgeons
have also participated in advanced training with Drs. Lundsford
and Kondziolka at the first U.S. Gamma Knife site affiliated
with the University of Pittsburgh. Also, one of our members
gained an extensive experience using the Midwest Gamma Knife
Unit based in Kansas City, Missouri.
The "Knife" itself is a complete, self-contained
unit that focuses 201 precisely guided beams on a targeted
brain tumor or other lesion within the brain. Treatment is
fast and simple, without any surgical incision, and without
the use of general anesthesia. The procedure is performed
on an outpatient basis using only local anesthesia with a
mild sedative. As a consequence, the side effects and dangers
of general anesthesia are eliminated and recuperation time
is significantly reduced.
Lesions treated with the Gamma Knife:
- Metastatic tumors
- Recurrent primary malignant brain tumors
- Benign tumors such as:
- Acoustic neuromas
- Pituitary adenomas
- Meningiomas
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia)
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