Gamma Knife Center

The term "Radiosurgery" has initially been used in medicine by Swedish brain surgeon Lars Leksell. It means the direction of a multitude of low energy radiation (hence it does not sustain any damage on the brain tissue) clusters to the diseased portion inside the skull. These radiation clusters focus on the diseased region and direct high energy solely to this part of the brain, thereby causing a change in the tissue.

The Gamma Knife device has first been used back in 1968. Initially in very limited use in very few centers around the world, once its therapeutic benefits were proven, it came into widespread use. Currently, it is being used in more than 210 centers around the world. Based on the figures for the year 2005, more than 300.000 patients manifesting a variety of brain diseases have been successfully treated with the Gamma Knife device. Even though LINAC systems such as the X-knife and Cyberknife are being used in the radiation of brain pathologies, currently no other device has been able to attain the sensitivity level of the Gamma Knife, nor has any other device served such a multitude of patients.

The basis of Gamma Knife radiosurgery consists of fixing the skull with the help of a stereotactical frame, identifying the diseased area inside the skull with the help of a computer, and the radiation of that area with gamma radiation coming from a 201 cobalt source. Low energy radiation directed from this source does not sustain any damage on the healthy part of the brain, whereas the diseased area gets exposed to a high dose of radiation.

Gamma Knife may be used in AVM, brain tumours and functional diseases. The tumour to be treated should have a diameter of less than 3.5cm. For the patients, this is an opportunity that does not involve any blood or knife. It is a therapeutic method which eliminates the need for anaesthesia and intensive care, and it only lasts for a couple of hours. Most of the patients can go back to their daily routines the following day.

In this day and age, patients prefer to get cured through relatively simple methods. Intense medical research is underway to make sure that patients have this option. Because Gamma Knife radiosurgery eliminates the need to open up the skull, it fulfills the need in this regard.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Areas
Since 1968, Gamma Knife is being used on an increasing number of patients around the world for a variety of indications. Gamma Knife is the "golden standard" in stereotactical radiosurgery. Until 2005, more than 300.000 patients have been treated worldwide. Acıbadem Healthcare Group Kozyatağı Hospital is using the Gamma Knife for the following indications.

Patients with Vascular Diseases
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM- congenital vessel cluster in the brain)
Cavernoma
Galen vessel aneurism

Patients with Benign tumours
Vestibular schwannoma (Audiovestibular nerve tumour)
Hemangioblastoma
Meningioma
Cordoma
Pituitary gland tumours
Trigeminal schwannoma
Pineal region tumours
Craniopharyngioma

Patients with malignant tumours
Metastasis
Ocular melanoma
Astrocytoma
Glyoblastoma
Hemangiopericytoma
Glomus tumour
Nasopharynx carcinoma

Patients with Movement Difficulties
Parkinson's disease
Essential tremour
Multiple sclerosis
Dystonia

Patients with Functional diseases
Trigeminal neuralgia
Epilepsy
Chronic pain

Tumours which are found in hard to reach and deeper regions of the brain

Patients who will not be able to tolerate surgical intervention due to advanced age, medical condition and general health condition

Patients who refuse open surgery

The Advantages of Gamma Knife treatment
o The elimination of the need for open surgery in many brain tumours

o Very few post-procedural side effects

o No need for general anaesthesia

o Patient can go home the same day

o No recuperation period

o No head injuries

o No hair cutting or hair loss

o High benefit with very little discomfort

o Fast return to work

o It is cheaper compared with some surgical interventions

o Healthy brain tissue gets exposed to very low doses of radiation

Gamma Knife is superior to other methods because;
It is more sensitive
The technical specifications achieve a sensitivity level of 0.3 mm

It is more effective
Thousands of published scientific articles have proven its efficacy

Scientific studies confirm that it yields the best results while sustaining no damage on the patient
To date, approximately 2500 medical scientific articles have been published.

It is in use in a higher number of centers
Currently, it is being used in 210 centers in the world.

There is no center which has abandoned the Gamma Knife in favour of any other method
On the contrary, there is a tendency to abandon the Linac systems in favour of the Gamma Knife.

Proven since 1968
It is the most widely used and the oldest radiosurgery technique.

In reporting their effects, other methods compare themselves with the Gamma Knife
Gamma Knife is the golden standard in radiosurgery

ACIBADEM KOZYATAĞI HASTANESİ
GAMMA KNIFE CENTER
İnönüCaddesi, Okur Sokak, 20 Kozyatağı 34742 İstanbul
Tel (216) 571 41 29-(216) 571 41 30-(216) 571 44 44
Faks: (216) 571 40 00
E-mail: gammaknife@acibadem.com.tr
ALO ACIBADEM 444 55 44
www.acibadem.com.tr

This page was prepared by Acıbadem Healthcare Group.

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