Gamma knife radiosurgery: Current status and review

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Southern Medical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-199005000-00016· OSTI ID:6725434

Goodman, M L

Radiosurgery is stereotactic neurosurgery in which the usual rigid needles or probes are replaced with beams of ionizing radiation directed toward an intracranial target so as to achieve local tissue destruction. No skin incision or skull opening is required. Lars Leksell originally defined the concept and over a prolonged research and development period created the Gamma Knife. The Gamma Knife is a self-contained unit with 201 cobalt 60 sources arranged in a hemispheric array such that the emitted beams of radiation reach a common point of intersection. Interchangeable collimating devices allow variation of the diameter of the 50% isodose distribution from 5.0 to 24.2 mm. Larger radiation dose distributions can be achieved by multiple overlapping exposures. Initial radiation dose rate is between 300 and 400 cGy/min. Obliteration of arteriovenous malformations has been shown angiographically in 80% to 86% of optimally treated patients two years later. Growth arrest or actual decrease in tumor size has occurred in 86% of acoustic neuromas treated. Other lesions treated with the Gamma Knife have included pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, pineal region tumors, and ocular melanomas, as well as functional disorders. 28 references.

• OSTI ID: 6725434
• Journal Information: Southern Medical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Southern Medical Journal; (USA) Vol. 83:5; ISSN SMJOA; ISSN 0038-4348
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
DESIGN
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATION DOSE DISTRIBUTIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
REVIEWS
THERAPY
VERTEBRATES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOT