Gamma Knife

A high-tech treatment option, known as Gamma Knife, delivers 201 precisely focused beams of radiation to destroy malignant and benign brain tumors, malformations in the brain’s blood vessels and trigeminal neuralgia. The beams of radiation are positioned to converge on a single point within the unit, where the procedure takes place. The procedure takes 15-40 minutes and is normally performed with local anesthesia. Patients experience virtually no discomfort or immediate side effects. The benefits of treatment manifest themselves over time. The lesion will dissolve or shrink gradually and eventually disappear or will exhibit no further growth. The time period varies with the type, size and location of the lesion. Gamma Knife surgery is more cost efficient than conventional neurosurgery. Patient hospital stays are short; patients are usually admitted the evening before treatment and discharged within a day of treatment. For more information on Gamma Knife, visit www.mercyok.com.

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