Gamma-knife radiosurgery

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Definition Why it's done Risks

How you prepare What you can expect Results

Definition

Gamma-knife radiosurgery treats a variety of structural abnormalities inside the brain by applying intersecting beams of radiation to the abnormal area. Gamma-knife radiosurgery is often a safer option than traditional neurosurgery because no incisions are involved.

In gamma-knife radiosurgery, doctors use advanced imaging technology to localize tumors and vascular abnormalities in the brain with pinpoint accuracy, so an array of radiation beams can be focused precisely on the target from many different directions.

Each individual radiation beam is too weak to harm the brain tissue it passes through. The effect of gamma-knife radiosurgery occurs only at the spot in the brain where all the beams meet. With the help of a computer, this spot can be accurately plotted to within a fraction of a millimeter.

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Why it's done

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