Leksell Gamma Knife® Patient Brochure 2011
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Treatment with Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ Information for patients

Gamma Knife® surgery is a wellestablished method to treat selected targets in the brain. Leksell Gamma Knife® is not a knife in the normal sense of the word. The doctor makes no incisions in your head. Instead, very precisely focused beams of radiation are directed to the treatment area in the brain. Gamma Knife surgery offers a safe and effective treatment for more than 40,000 patients every year. The treatment procedure is simple, painless and straightforward. The treatment consists of four steps: 1. attaching the frame 2. imaging: CT, MRI or Angiography 3. treatment planning 4. treatment 2

What is Gamma Knife surgery? Gamma Knife surgery is a unique method that delivers extremely focused radiation beams to targets in the brain. The radiation source used is called cobalt. The shape and dose of the radiation is optimized to hit only the target, without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Gamma Knife surgery Gamma Knife surgery is a bloodless surgery for neurological diseases. The surgery does not require the skull to be opened for performance of the operation. The patient is treated in one session and can normally return home shortly after treatment. The method facilitates...

Before the treatment Before treatment your doctor will inform you about the entire procedure. Gamma Knife surgery does not require cutting or shaving of your hair. The next step is the application of the head frame. Securing accuracy A key component in Gamma Knife surgery is the stereotactic head frame. The frame allows the doctor to accurately pinpoint the target to the be treated in your brain. This lightweight frame, which is attached to your head with four pins, ensures that the radiation beams can be directed with precision to the target. The frame also prevents your head from moving...

Target localization After the head frame is in place, it is time for imaging to be done; such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or angiography. Imaging is required to determine the exact size, shape and position of the target in the brain. During imaging, a coordinate box is placed on the head frame to provide reference points on the images for the treatment plan. After imaging, the coordinate box is removed. Treatment planning Once your images have been taken, you can rest while your physician develops a very precise and accurate treatment plan. Each treatment...

The treatment move into the dome section of the unit. The treatment is silent and totally painless. Often you will be able to listen to music during the treatment. The team will be monitoring the procedure at all times. The treatment will last a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on the size and shape of the target. Once your treatment plan is completed, the actual treatment can start. You will lay down on the treatment couch and the head frame will be attached. You are awake during the procedure and will be able to communicate with your doctor or nurse through an audio and video...

After treatment When your treatment is complete, the head frame will be removed. Some patients experience a mild headache or minor swelling where the head frame was attached, but most report no problems. Your doctor will tell you whether or not he wants you to stay overnight for observation or if you can go home immediately. Either way, you should be able to return to your normal routines in a day or so. What happens next? The effects of your treatment will occur over time. Radiation treatments are designed to stop the growth of tumors or dysfunctional tissue, which means that the effect...

Art. No. 018570.00 OCT 2007 © 2007 Elekta Instrument AB. All mentioned trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the Elekta group.