Prior to Gamma Knife treatment, our multidisciplinary team meets to evaluate each patient's case. The panel of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, radiation physicists, neuroradiologists, nurses and technical staff reviews the patient's medical and surgical history and results of clinical examinations, diagnostic imaging and function studies to determine if Gamma Knife therapy presents a good choice for treatment. The conference then makes a recommendation to the referring physician and to the patient.

Pre-Treatment Planning
Placing The Head Frame
Imaging
Treatment
Post-Treatment
Gamma Knife Procedure Poster (pdf)

• Pre-treatment Planning
  Once you and your doctor have determined that Gamma Knife is the best option for treating your condition, you can start planning and preparing for the procedure.
  • Transportation: determine who will be driving you to and from the clinic. Because many Gamma Knife patients are treated and return home on the same day, it is important to identify all the aspects of transportation prior to the procedure.
  • Home Care: Have someone stay with you for the first day or so after the procedure. Someone needs to help take care of the daily tasks that need to happen so that you can rest.
  • Eating: Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure unless otherwise instructed. This will decrease the chance of stomach upset during your treatment.
  • Medication: Please discuss ALL medications you are taking with the Gamma Knife Team.
  • Accommodations: The Gamma Knife nurse can assist you with lodging accommodations if you will be traveling here from out of the area. Many local hotels offer discounted rates while patients are being treated at the hospital.

  Tips: Shop for groceries, make sure clean clothes are available, get help for kids and pets ahead of time. Thinking ahead will make your recovery at home much easier. back to top

• Placing the head frame
  To ensure that the Gamma Knife beams are focused on the area of the brain to be treated, a head frame will be fixed firmly to your skull. This device is called a stereotactic frame and is held in place on your skull with four pins. Before the frame is secured, your physician will inject local numbing medication where the pins will be inserted. If you have long hair, your hair will be tied back. No hair will be shaved off. back to top

• Imaging
  After the head frame is in place, you will have an imaging study done to localize the area to be treated and help assist the Gamma Knife team plan your treatment. The Gamma Knife nurse will accompany you to the imaging center for either an MRI or CT scan. After the process is complete, the nurse will escort you back to the Gamma Knife suite, and the Gamma Knife team will begin mapping out your treatment plan.-During this planning time, you will remain in the Gamma Knife treatment area. You may listen to music of your choice or sleep while waiting. back to top

• Treatment
  Once final plans have been made for administering your treatment, you will be taken into the Gamma Knife suite and positioned so that the head frame maintains your head steadily and securely in the Gamma Knife helmet. You will be informed of how long each treatment will take prior to the team exiting the room. The team caring for you will exit the suite before the treatment begins. They leave the room because staying with every patient creates a high risk of exposure to radiation over an extended period of time.You will be able to talk with the team via a microphone located inside the helmet. There are also three cameras in the suite which allow the team to see you at all times.You will not be able to hear or feel the Gamma Knife treatment. During the treatment, you may listen to the music of your choice or sleep. back to top

• Post-treatment
  When your treatment session is finished, the stereotactic head frame will be removed. In most cases, patients are able to leave the clinic the same day as the Gamma Knife procedure. Take it easy over the next 12-24 hours. Take this time to relax and fully recover. back to top