Gamma-knife radiosurgery

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How you prepare

By Mayo Clinic staff

Food and medications

  • Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure.
  • Talk to your doctor about whether you can take your regular medications the night before or morning of the procedure.

Clothing and personal items
Wear comfortable, loosefitting clothing.

Avoid wearing the following items during the procedure:

  • Jewelry
  • Eyeglasses
  • Contact lenses
  • Makeup
  • Nail polish
  • Dentures
  • Wigs or hairpieces

Precautions regarding medications and allergies
Tell your doctor if you:

  • Are taking pills or injections to control diabetes
  • Are allergic to shellfish or iodine, which are chemically related to special dyes that may be used during the procedure
  • Have implanted medical devices in your body, such as a pacemaker, artificial heart valve, aneurysm clips, neurostimulators or stents
What you can expect Risks
References
  1. Stereotactic radiosurgery overview. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/radiosurgery.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  2. Gamma Knife® surgery. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/gamma_knife.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  3. Stereotactic radiosurgery. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Stereotactic%20Radiosurgery.aspx. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  4. Gamma Knife®. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=gamma_knife. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  5. Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=stereotactic. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  6. Brain tumors. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Brain%20Tumors.aspx. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  7. Arteriovenous malformations. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Arteriovenous%20Malformations.aspx. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  8. Trigeminal neuralgia fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia/detail_trigeminal_neuralgia.htm. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
  9. Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) and neurofibromatosis. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/acoustic_neuroma.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2010.
  10. NINDS pituitary tumors information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pituitary_tumors/pituitary_tumors.htm. Accessed Aug. 4, 2010.
  11. Kavanagh G, et al. Complications of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2010.
  12. A typical treatment day. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/treatment.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2010.
MY00206 Oct. 9, 2010

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