Gamma knife and CyberKnife™ are some of the most sophisticated technologies available to contemporary medicine. It’s interesting that despite their name, there is no actual knife involved. In fact, Gamma Knife and CyberKnife™ are types of radiosurgery, which have earned their “sharp” titles thanks to their extreme exactitude. Generally, radiosurgery is an alternative, non-invasive radiation technology that has been effectively used on various brain abnormalities since the late nineteen sixties. These painless, outpatient procedures have an excellent track record due to fewer risks and side effects as well as higher success rates, compared with traditional radiotherapy.
Normally, in traditional radiotherapy, a tumor and its’ surrounding tissues are equally exposed to high doses of radiation over multiple sessions. Such intense treatments usually lead to significant side effects. By contrast, radiosurgery delivers high amounts of radiation to a small, focused location with minimal exposure to the healthy tissues. This outcome is achieved by intersecting multiple radiation beams that reach the target from many different angles. Individual beams carry harmless levels of radiation; however at their crossing point their cumulative effect is powerful enough to destroy the pathology.
Radiosurgery employs advanced imaging technologies in order to determine the location of the target with pinpoint precision of less than one millimeter. That enables the surgeon to successfully treat pathologies in otherwise inoperable cases. Both Gamma Knife and CyberKnife™ are widely used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
Even though Gamma Knife and CyberKnife™ are “members of the same family”, there are some notable differences between them.
To the untrained eye, Gamma Knife looks like a CT scan device. In addition, it uses a special frame that is carefully fitted on the patient’s head under local anesthesia. The frame helps immobilize the patient’s head throughout the imaging and treatment process while approximately 200 beams of radiation are being delivered to the targeted area. Usually the whole procedure takes about 4-5 hours, during which the patient remains under “twighlight” sedation. Normally, the patients can resume their normal activity shortly after the procedure.
Currently Dr. Duma works on the state-of-the-art model of Gamma Knife, Perfexion™, which uses 100 times less radiation than previous models with the same success rate.
CyberKnife™ is a relatively “younger” technology that has been around since 1994. In essence, it represents a moving robotic “hand”, which detects and targets the treatment site from up to 600 different angles without the need for a frame. CyberKnife™ has a unique ability to adjust to the natural movements of the organs and to work anywhere in the body, even with a “moving target”. This makes the procedures quicker and more comfortable for the patient. It is also ideal for delivering multiple (fractionated) treatments, when necessary.
As an expert in minimally invasive treatment options, Dr. Christopher Duma is always on the forefront of new technological developments. In 1990, he was among the first to implement radiosurgery in the United States. Over the years, Dr. Duma has performed thousands of successful surgeries, using cutting-edge equipment available at the best hospitals in Orange County.
To learn more about radiosurgery or to choose the right treatment for you, call us at 949-642-6787 or feel free to email Dr. Duma at drduma@cduma.com with any questions or concerns regarding your neurological health.
