Gamma Knife Treatment Procedure

• The patient is admitted to the hospital on the morning of the procedure and started on intravenous fluids. A stereotactic frame is painlessly secured to the patient’s head. This head frame is a guiding device, which ensures the Gamma Knife beams are focused exactly where the treatment is needed. Mild sedation and a local anesthetic are administered prior to head frame placement. Head frame placement usually takes fewer than 10 minutes.
• Imaging studies, such as MRI, CT scan and/or angiography are performed. The stereotactic frame is displayed on the imaging studies allowing the physicians to precisely localize the target.
• The team of Gamma Knife physicians utilizes three-dimensional computer imaging to develop the patient’s radiosurgical treatment plan.
• When the treatment plan is complete, the patient is placed on the Gamma Knife bed. The stereotactic head frame is attached to the helmet containing 192 portals through which radiation beams are focused. The frame and the helmet prevent movement, ensuring accurate alignment during treatment.
• The Gamma Knife team monitors the patient throughout the procedure. Actual treatment may last as little as 10 minutes or as long as two hours. During the procedure, the patient does not hear or feel the Gamma Knife delivering the radiation treatment.
• The head frame is removed upon completion of the treatment and bandages are applied to the pin site areas.
• The patient is observed for approximately one hour, then discharged from the hospital.
• The patient is contacted by the Gamma Knife nurse the next day for follow-up and then periodically to monitor the patient’s status.