The Leskell Gamma Knife® is used to treat certain types of brain lesions. Your doctors believe the Gamma Knife may be a good choice for you. Before you are scheduled for treatment, the doctors on the Gamma Knife team will discuss other choices with you.
These pages will tell you what you can expect before, during, and after the Gamma Knife treatment.
What is the Gamma Knife?
The Gamma Knife treatment is surgery without a scalpel. The Gamma Knife was developed 40 years ago and has been used successfully since that time. It is a type of radiation treatment that destroys brain lesions. It can be used even in the most critical parts of the brain. The Gamma Knife focuses 201 narrow beams of radiation to the targeted part of the brain. These beams are focused on one spot with great precision. Many "shots" of radiation are used to fit the shape of the lesion. The healthy tissue around the lesion gets very little radiation.
Gamma Knife Treatment
Most Gamma Knife treatments are done on a same-day basis. A few patients may need to stay one night in the hospital. When you come in for your treatment, you will see a team of doctors and physicists who will plan the actual Gamma Knife treatment. Treatment planning usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. In some cases, planning may take as long as one and one-half hours. The actual treatment may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The hospital stay and recovery times are much shorter with Gamma Knife treatment than with standard brain surgery. Most people return to their normal routine within 24 hours.
How to Prepare for the Gamma Knife Treatment
You can eat dinner the night before the treatment, but do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Try to get a good night's rest.
If you need to take medicines, do so with only a sip of water. Bring all of your medicine with you on the day of your treatment
Plan to spend one night in the hospital. Planning and treatment times vary and depend on the number of patients being treated.
On the day of treatment, wear comfortable clothes.
Before the treatment you will have an X-ray. Do not wear any metal objects, including jewelry, body piercings or underwire bras.
Bring reading materials, crafts or other items to help you pass the time.
Bring your favorite music to listen to during your treatment. A CD/tape player will be provided.
Please bring a family member with you. He or she will be allowed to remain with you except during the scan, frame placement and treatment. This person should be able to drive you home after discharge.
If you have questions, call the Gamma Knife office at 252-847-2611 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and weekends and holidays, please call 252-353-9525 and ask for the neurosurgeon on-call.