Minimally Invasive Procedures

Stereotactic radiosurgery

This program offers bloodless surgery to the brain. It entails focused radiation beams (either X-rays or gamma-rays) precisely delivered to the desired brain area with minimal scatter to the surrounding normal brain. It is usually a same day or overnight procedure. The high precision using 3D computerized guidance and high energy intersecting beams allows for highly effective and accurate treatment that is considered “surgical”.

Radiosurgery can also be utilized for the treatment of malignant brain tumors, such as glioblastoma and metastatic tumors. Radiosurgery is also used as the primary treatment of a small arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or is used to treat AVM that might remain following embolization.

For the radiosurgery procedure, a metal frame is attached to the head using sedation and local anesthesia. This frame fixes the position of the head and provides a point of reference between the condition being treated and the frame. Following frame placement, the patient will undergo a CT scan or MRI of the brain. If radiosurgery is being used to treat an AVM, then an angiogram may be performed following frame placement. These images are then fed into a powerful computer using a sophisticated software program. The treating physician can then use this data to pin-point the radiation beam to the exact area of interest. Patients go home the day of the procedure.