A Brief Description of Gamma Knife Surgery
A multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiologists, nurses, and physician assistants unite to provide the patient with comprehensive, advanced care before, during, and after the Gamma Knife procedure.
Patients are selected for radiosurgery after thorough review of all prior records and imaging studies. After admission to the hospital, the patient undergoes placement of a stereotactic frame -- mechanical guiding device -- to the head, utilizing local anesthesia and sedation.
The location and type of tumor or AVM (arterial venous malformation) are evaluated with advanced imaging technology, such as computed tomography (CT), angiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Computer planning of the treatment is then performed. Then, the patient's head and stereotactic frame are placed within a large helmet-like device with small openings called "collimator ports." Radiation beams are adjusted through these ports to direct the appropriate amount of energy precisely at the target tissue.
The Gamma Knife suite at Georgia Regents Medical Center is an expansive area of patient prep and dose planning rooms designed for maximum patient comfort, evaluation, and treatment.
The actual Gamma Knife unit is housed in a specially shielded room equipped with video monitoring and patient-doctor communication equipment. The suite also contains equipment to provide general anesthesia to the patient if necessary.
Contact Us
To receive more information, or schedule an appointment, please call 706-721-8945 to speak to a member of our team. You may also email [email protected] or request an appointment online.