15.5.1.2 - Gamma Knife (Incomplete)
The Gamma Knife is different to other stereotactic therapies in that is uses up to 192 cobalt sources arranged on a sphere, the beams of which intersect upon the target/s of interest. It is used for tumours of the head and neck and is best for smaller tumours.
Indications include:
- Tumours of the brain (including brain metastases)
- Skull base tumours
- Vascular abnormalities
- Ocular tumours (uveal melanoma etc)
- Functional problems (eg. trigeminal neuralgia, pituitary adenoma)
- Other problems (eg. nasopharyngeal carcinoma)
