What is gamma knife surgery?
Gamma knife surgery is a type of radiation treatment performed with the Gamma Knife®, a noninvasive neurosurgical tool. Gamma knife surgery involves focusing small, highly precise doses of radiation into the brain. This shrinks small brain tumors or blocks abnormal blood vessels and nerves that cause pain or seizures. Gamma knife surgery can also treat some brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Gamma knife surgery does not actually involve a knife or surgery. The name is derived from the knife-like precision of the radiation delivered to the target area. Gamma knife surgery is also called gamma knife radiosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.
Gamma knife surgery is an effective alternative to neurosurgery for some patients. Gamma knife surgery can help if you cannot tolerate neurosurgery because of your medical condition, age, or preference. It is less invasive and requires less hospitalization and recovery time than neurosurgery. Discuss all the procedure and surgery options with your doctor and consider getting a second opinion about all of your treatment choices before having gamma knife surgery.
Why is gamma knife surgery performed?
Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat some diseases and conditions of the brain. Ask your doctor about all of your treatment options and consider getting a second opinion before deciding on gamma knife surgery.
Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat:
Acoustic neuroma, a tumor of the nerve between the brain and the ear
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and other blood vessel disorders in the brain
Brain tumors including some types of malignant and benign tumors
Some types of cancer of the eye
Epilepsy caused by a brain tumor. A brain tumor that causes epilepsy may be treated with gamma knife surgery if medications do not control seizures.
Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that leads to uncontrollable shaking, muscle stiffness, and severe problems with coordination and balance
Trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve disorder causing debilitating face pain
Who performs gamma knife surgery?
A specialized team performs gamma knife surgery. These teams commonly include the following specialists:
Medical physicists are scientists who specialize in the safety and effectiveness of radiation treatments and imaging procedures.
Neurosurgeons and pediatric neurosurgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Radiation oncologists specialize in treating cancer with radiation.
Teams may also include one or more of these specialists depending on your diagnosis:
Otolaryngologists, or ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors, specialize in the medical and surgical care of the ears, nose and throat, and conditions affecting the head and neck.
Neuroradiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the nervous system using radiological imaging.
Neurotologists specialize in the medical and surgical care of diseases of the inner ear and related structures. They are sometimes called otologists or otologists/neurotologists.
How is gamma knife surgery performed?
Your gamma knife will be performed in a hospital. The entire process occurs during a single day and generally includes these steps:
You will dress in a patient gown and remove any jewelry, wigs, glasses or any other items that may interfere with the radiation treatment.
A treatment team member will start an intravenous (IV) line. You will receive fluids and a mild sedative or other medications during the procedure.
You will have four small injections of local anesthetic to numb the area in your scalp.
Your care team will attach a head frame to your head with pins at the site of the anesthetic injections. They will not need to shave your hair to do this. Some people report a feeling of pressure when they are fitted with a head frame, but it usually goes away within a few moments.
The treatment team will take brain imaging scans (pictures) to precisely locate your tumor or target area. The scan might be a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI), a computed tomography scan (CT), a cerebral angiogram, or a combination of these.
You will wait in a separate room while your care team determines the exact treatment plan and where to apply the radiation.
You will return to the gamma knife treatment room and lie on a sliding bed. Your care team will fit a treatment helmet, called a collimator helmet, over your head frame. The helmet has a special pattern of holes in it. The holes will direct radiation beams to pass through to the exact location in your brain needing treatment.
The bed will slide into the gamma knife machine. You might hear a clicking sound as the helmet attaches to the machine.
Your care team will leave the treatment room, but they will observe you by video. You will be able to talk with them over an intercom.
The radiation treatment itself takes from one to four hours, depending on your treatment plan. You will not feel the treatment while it is happening, and it does not produce any sounds or smells. Some people even fall asleep during treatment.
When the radiation treatment is complete, your care team will return to the gamma knife treatment room. The team will slide your bed out of the treatment machine and remove your collimator helmet, head frame, and IV line.
Your care team will make sure that your vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse, are stable. They will give you medication for nausea or head pain as needed. Most people who receive gamma knife surgery go home the same day. Some patients stay in the hospital for a night for further observation.
Will I feel pain?
Your comfort and relaxation is important to you and your care team. You will have enough pain and sedative medications to keep you comfortable during and after your procedure.
You may feel brief pressure when the team fits your head frame, but you will not feel the radiation treatment itself. You may have a headache or nausea after the procedure, which your doctor can treat with medications. Headache and nausea usually go away within a day or two. Tell your doctor or care team if you are uncomfortable in any way.
What are the risks and potential complications of gamma knife surgery?
Complications of gamma knife surgery are uncommon, but any procedure involves risks and potential complications that may become serious in some cases. Complications can develop during the procedure or recovery.
Risks and potential complications of gamma knife surgery include:
Adverse reaction or problems related to sedation, such as an allergic reaction and problems with breathing
Bleeding or other discharge at the pin sites
Hair loss near the treatment site, which is usually temporary
Nausea and vomiting
Severe headache
Vision problems
Reducing your risk of complications
You can reduce the risk of some complications by following your treatment plan and:
Following activity, dietary and lifestyle restrictions and recommendations before your procedure and during recovery
Notifying your doctor immediately of any concerns, such as severe headache, seizures, or persistent bleeding at the pin sites
Taking your medications exactly as directed
Telling all members of your care team if you have any allergies
How do I prepare for gamma knife surgery?
You are an important member of your own healthcare team. The steps you take before your procedure can improve your comfort and outcome.
You can prepare for gamma knife surgery by:
Answering all questions about your medical history, allergies, and medications. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, herbal treatments, and vitamins. It is a good idea to carry a current list of your medical conditions, medications, and allergies at all times.
Notifying your doctor if you are nursing or if there is any chance of pregnancy
Notifying your doctor and care team if you have any type of implant, such as a stent, artificial heart valve, surgical clip, or pacemaker
Refraining from eating or drinking as directed by your doctor. This may include not eating solid foods for eight to 12 hours before the procedure.
Taking or stopping medications exactly as directed
Questions to ask your doctor
Preparing for gamma knife surgery can be stressful. It is common for patients to forget some of their questions during a doctor’s office visit. You may also think of other questions after your appointment. Contact your doctor with concerns and questions before gamma knife surgery and between appointments.
It is a good idea to bring a list of questions to your appointments. Common questions include:
Why do I need gamma knife surgery? Are there any other options for treating my condition?
How long will the treatment take? When can I go home?
What restrictions will I have after the surgery? When can I return to work and other activities?
What kind of assistance will I need at home? Will I need a ride home?
How should I take my medications?
How will you treat my pain or discomfort, such as nausea?
What other tests or treatments might I need?
When should I follow up with you?
When and how should I contact you? Ask for numbers to call during and after regular hours.
What can I expect after gamma knife surgery?
Knowing what to expect after gamma knife surgery can help you get back to your everyday life as soon as possible.
How will I feel after gamma knife surgery?
You might feel nauseous, hungry, or weak and you may have a headache after gamma knife surgery. Your doctor will give you medications to treat your symptoms. Tell your doctor or care team if your pain or nausea is not well-controlled by medication.
When can I go home?
Most people stay in the hospital for an hour or two after gamma knife surgery, but some stay overnight for observation. You can go home when you have had time to recover and your vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse, are stable. You may still be a bit drowsy and will need a ride home. You should not drive for about 24 hours, and someone should stay with you during that time.
When should I call my doctor?
It is important to keep your follow-up appointments after gamma knife surgery. Contact your doctor for questions and concerns between appointments. Call your doctor right away or seek immediate medical care if you have:
Excessive bleeding or discharge from the pin sites
Seizures
Severe headache that is not controlled by your pain medication
Visions problems that have worsened since the surgery
