About the Gamma Knife
The Gamma Knife, a remarkable, 20 ton medical device, was
invented in  1968
by a Swedish duo, Dr. Lars Leksell of Karolinska Institute
and biophysicist Professor Borje Larsson. Since then more
than 150,000 patients worldwide have been treated with the
Gamma Knife. Recent advances in neuro-imaging techniques and
the increasing power of computers have been responsible for
the rapid growth of radiosurgery in recent years. Many years
of well-documented research and clinical evaluation support
the efficacy of Gamma Knife technology.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is not intended to replace conventional
neurosurgery, but it is an effective, additional weapon to combat
vascular malformations and tumors of the brain. Gamma Knife
treatment may serve as an adjunct to standard neurosurgical therapy
or as the preferred course of treatment when traditional surgery is
not recommended.
Not really a knife at all, the Gamma Knife is a unique
stereotactic radiosurgical device used to treat brain tumors and
other malformations of the brain without invasive surgery. The Gamma
Knife delivers a single, high dose of ionizing radiation emanating
from 201 cobalt-60 sources positioned about a hemispherical,
precision machined cavity. The lesion is first targeted with precise
accuracy using advanced imaging and three dimensional treatment
planning such as CT Scans or MR Scans. Each individual beam is
focused on a common target, producing an intense concentration of
radiation at the target site, destroying the lesion while spreading
the entry radiation dose uniformly and harmlessly over the patient's
skull. The mechanical precision at the target site is +/- 0.1mm
(1/10 of 1 millimeter). Because of the steep fall-off in the
radiation intensity surrounding the target, the lesion can be
destroyed while sparing the surrounding tissue.
|
Photo courtesy of Elekta Instruments
AB
|
The Gamma Knife is superior to other stereotactic radiosurgery
devices in its precision and its method of operation. The
procedure, performed in a single treatment, sharply reduces
hospital stay and eliminates the risk of post-surgical bleeding
and infection that can be associated with conventional surgery.
Most patients are able to leave the hospital within a few
hours of their Gamma Knife treatment.
|
