Gamma-knife radiosurgery

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How you prepare

By Mayo Clinic staff

Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure. Ask your doctor if it's OK to take your regular medications with a sip of water.

Items not allowed during the procedure include:

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

Be sure to tell your doctor if you:

  • Are taking pills or injections to control diabetes
  • Are allergic to shellfish or iodine
  • Have implanted medical devices in your body — such as a pacemaker, artificial heart valve, aneurysm clips, neurostimulators or stents
References
  1. Stereotactic radiosurgery. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/stereotactic.asp. Accessed July 31, 2008.
  2. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Radiosurgery Using the Gamma Knife. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 2006.
  3. Gamma Knife. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=gamma_knife. Accessed July 31, 2008.
  4. Chen CC, et al. Stereotactic cranial radiosurgery and radiotherapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 31, 2008.
  5. Wen PY, et al. Treatment of brain metastases in favorable prognosis patients. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  6. Singer RJ, et al. Brain arteriovenous malformations. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  7. Zahid BH, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  8. Park JK, et al. Acoustic neuroma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  9. Abram S, et al. Stereotactic radiation techniques in the treatment of acoustic schwannomas. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2007;40(3):571-588.
  10. PituitaryFAQs, Pituitary Network Association. http://www.pituitary.org/faq/. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  11. Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with Pituitary Adenomas. Harrisburg, Pa. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/Pituitary%20Guideline.pdf. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  12. Kavanagh G, et al. Complications of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  13. Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=stereotactic&bhcp=1. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
  14. Link M. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 7, 2008.

MY00206

Oct. 10, 2008

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