Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Meningioma
Some meningiomas may be too high risk, or difficult, to remove with surgery. If so, 觅圈资源站 Langone doctors聽may use radiosurgery, also known as stereotactic radiation or Gamma Knife庐 surgery, to treat small brain or skull base tumors.
Gamma Knife庐 surgery is also used in people who can鈥檛 undergo conventional surgery because of health problems or who choose to avoid surgery. It may also help those whose malignant tumors don鈥檛 respond to intensity聽modulated radiation therapy.
Despite the name, a Gamma Knife庐 is not a knife, but rather a system for delivering very targeted radiation treatment. Working together, the neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist use detailed imaging studies, such as CT or MRI scans, to create a precise treatment plan. Then, using the Gamma Knife庐 device, they target multiple radiation beams to the meningioma in a single session. Critical neighboring structures receive only a low dose of radiation.
If you have Gamma Knife庐 surgery, you wear a head frame during the procedure, which keeps you from moving and allows for the precise targeting of the treatment. Gamma Knife庐 surgery is an outpatient procedure.
Managing Side Effects
Our 觅圈资源站 Langone physicians actively monitor you for side effects of Gamma Knife庐 surgery, which may include headache and nausea. They also offer integrative therapies, such as acupuncture and yoga, as well as rehabilitative support for any symptoms you may experience.