Gamma Knife® Stereotactic Radiosurgery
    Medicare-approved, safe, effective, non-invasive treatment for patients with benign and malignant brain tumors or vascular
    and functional disorders of the brain.

Gamma Knife offers hope to patients with tumors formerly considered inoperable and those considered high-risk for open surgical procedures due to illness, advanced age, or other medical conditions. Patients may be eligible for Gamma Knife even if they previously had open brain surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, or embolization for arteriovenous malformations (AVM).

Leksell Gamma Knife model 4C Gamma Knife delivers non-invasive, high dose, single beam ionizing radiation (201 cobalt-60 sources) to treat small to medium-sized diseased structures in the head without harm to surrounding tissue. Gamma Knife reduces risks associated with open skull surgery and high costs associated with hospitalization and rehabilitation. Patients are treated with a local anesthetic and remain awake throughout the procedure. A mild sedative may be given and a stereotactic frame is attached to the head. Patients experience little discomfort and are usually discharged on the day of treatment and able to resume normal activities within a day or two. Results are shown to be comparable or superior to conventional neurosurgery (depending on the treated condition).

In this section:
Common indications for Gamma Knife
Risk
Insurance coverage
Referral
Our Medical Directors
White Paper, Gamma Knife® Surgery And Microsurgery: A comparison of published results By Dheerendra Prasad, MD, University of Virginia

Common indications for Gamma Knife

• Metastatic tumors within the head originating from a primary site elsewhere in the body
   
• Malignant or benign tumors originating within the brain or its coverings, including gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary and pineal tumors, acoustic neuromas, and others
   
• AVMs and other vascular disorders of the brain
   
• Trigeminal neuralgia (if conservative therapy fails)
   
• Movement disorders, such as some cases of Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor in patients who are not candidates for deep brain stimulation.
   

Risk
Treatment day side effects may include headache after removal of the head frame or mild nausea; both can be relieved with medication. Uncommon, delayed complications may include injury to surrounding brain and edema, which are reversible with proper treatment. Other rare complications are dependent on diagnosis and discussed with the patient during evaluation. There is a small risk of radiation-induced damage to surrounding tissues.


Insurance coverage
Gamma Knife procedures are covered by most medical insurance plans. Prior authorization is required and limited to specific diagnostic reasons. South Sound Gamma Knife at St Joseph’s will pre-authorize the procedure with your patient’s insurance carrier.


Referral

South Sound Gamma Knife at St. Joseph
1802 S. Yakima, Suite 103, Tacoma, WA 98405
Phone: 253-284-2438
Toll free: 1-866-254-3353
Fax: 253-272-7054