Most Gamma Knife radiosurgery procedures are performed on an out-patient basis using only a local anesthetic and mild sedation.
After a discussion with the treating physicians regarding the benefits and risks of Gamma Knife radiosurgery, the patient comes to Cleveland Clinic's Gamma Knife Center.
A reference frame is then applied using only a local anesthetic and mild sedation and will stay in place until the procedure is completed.
Special scans (MRI, CT and or angiograms) are then performed and loaded into a planning computer using sophisticated GammaPlan software.
There, the neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, and physicist devise the optimal treatment plan.
Soon thereafter, the patient is brought to the treatment area where the reference frame is fitted to one or more treatment helmets that are responsible for focusing the beams of gamma rays onto the target.
To schedule an evaluation with a Burkhardt Brain Tumor Center specialist to determine if Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an option for you, please call our Appointment Center at 216.636.5860 or toll-free at 866.588.2264.