Stereotactic Radiosurgery InstituteStereotactic Radiosurgery Institute95 North Greenleaf Street | Gurnee, IL 60031 | tel: 847-249-3090 | fax: 815-301-3883
Providing Services at: The Rotating Gamma System Institute, Gurnee, IL, Advanced Radiation Oncology Center, Gurnee, IL, Vista Medical Center, Waukegan, IL, St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL
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What is stereotactic radiosurgery?Stereotactic radiosurgery is a technique by which a high focused dose of radiation is given to a specific target to achieve a desired biological response.The biological response desired depends on the procedure and the type of treatment which is sought. If a tumor is being treated, the desired biological response is to kill the tumor so that it cannot grow. If an arteriovenous malformation is being treated, the desired biological response is to cause the obliteration of the lesion. In some cases, the desired effect is to cause a radiation lesion in the brain or surrounding structures to change their function. Severe facial pain caused by tic douloureux can be controlled in most cases with this type of procedure. Go to Top of Questions What can Stereotactic Radiosurgery be used for?Stereotactic Radiosurgery is used for three main different types of problems. It is used for treating tumors, arteriovenous malformations, and for functional neurosurgery.Most indications treated to date with stereotactic radiosurgery are in the head. Both benign and malignant tumors in the head may respond well to treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery. A representative list of the type of conditions that can be treated is listed on the Experience page of this web site. In many cases, stereotactic radiosurgery may be used even after conventional radiation therapy has been given to the brain. Some stereotactic radiosurgery has also been used for treatment of spinal tumors. Other sites in the body have also been considered for treatment, however, there are still technological barriers which make treatment of other body sites much more difficult. Go to Top of Questions How is Stereotactic Radiosurgery performed?In general, there are multiple steps to performing a stereotactic radiosurgery procedure. These steps typically include:1. Immobilization of the head or other body parts to be treated. This may be performed with either a more invasive technique called a stereotactic frame or a less accurate noninvasive technique which may involve special masks, molds, or other devices. 2. Imaging of the target site so that the size, position, and shape of the target as well as surrounding critical structures to be avoided can be accurately measured. The imaging studies may involve CT scan or computed axial tomography, MRI scan or magnetic resonance imaging, angiography, and more rarely other imaging modalities. One or more imaging studies may be combined to give the best definition of the target's as well as structures to be protected during the procedure. 3. A session of treatment planning to determine precisely how the radiation is to be delivered. During this time, which may take several hours for more complex cases, the patient waits with the stereotactic frame attached. If a noninvasive immobilization technique is used, this may be removed until treatment is started. 4. Delivery of the radiation using the appropriate devices. There are many techniques for performing stereotactic radiosurgery. These include the Gamma ART 6000 Rotating Gamma System, BrainLAB System, Peacock System, Gamma Knife, XKnife, Accuray, as well as multiple other techniques. 5. Removal of the immobilization device. Go to Top of Questions What is the best type of Stereotactic Radiosurgery?This is a question asked by many patients and neurosurgeons. There is no simple answer to this question.The question is similar to asking, "What is the best car?" Different cars have different capabilities and are best suited for different uses. For example, an Indianapolis race car would not be very useful for a family outing. On the other hand, a minivan would not do well in the Indianapolis 500 race. The experience of the driver is extremely important in addition to the choice of the car. Each type of radiosurgical delivery system has its strengths and weaknesses. The characteristics of each system including work envelope, dose gradients, positional accuracy, mechanical accuracy, computational precision, and other factors make each system more or less well-suited for given cases. It is the job of a neurosurgeon well-trained in the art of stereotactic radiosurgery to decide which instruments to use for a given case. The manufacturers of the various radiosurgery systems would like everyone to believe that theirs is the best system for all cases. These machines are simply instruments, however. Getting one of these systems does not immediately make one an expert in stereotactic radiosurgery any more than purchasing a scalpel makes one a surgeon. Experienced use and selection of the appropriate instruments by a trained neurosurgeon allows delivery of the best type of stereotactic radiosurgery in each case. Go to Top of Questions How much experience have you had with Stereotactic Radiosurgery?Dr. Helenowski has treated over 2400 cases with Stereotactic Radiosurgery for various indications.Go to Top of Questions |
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