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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffGamma Knife radiosurgery doesn't involve surgical incisions, so it's generally less risky than traditional neurosurgery. In traditional neurosurgery, you may have risks of complications with anesthesia, bleeding and infection.
Early complications or side effects are usually temporary. They may include:
- Fatigue. Tiredness and fatigue may occur for the first few weeks after Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
- Swelling. Swelling in the brain at or near the treatment site can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroid medications) to prevent such problems or to treat symptoms if they appear.
- Scalp and hair problems. Your scalp may be red, irritated or sensitive at sites where a device is attached to your head during the treatment. Some people temporarily lose a small amount of hair.
Rarely, people may experience late side effects, such as other brain or neurological problems, months after Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
References
- Stereotactic radiosurgery overview. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/radiosurgery.html. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- Gamma Knife surgery. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/gamma_knife.html. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Stereotactic%20Radiosurgery.aspx. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- Chen CC, et al. Stereotactic cranial radiosurgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=stereotactic. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- Arteriovenous malformations and other vascular malformations of the central nervous system fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/detail_avms.htm. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- NINDS trigeminal neuralgia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia/trigeminal_neuralgia.htm. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) and neurofibromatosis. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/acoustic_neuroma.aspx. Accessed March 19, 2013.
- Gamma Knife. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=gamma_knife. Accessed March 19, 2013.
- NINDS pituitary tumors information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pituitary_tumors/pituitary_tumors.htm. Accessed March 19, 2013.
- Kavanagh B, et al. Complications of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- A typical treatment day. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/treatment.html. Accessed March 19, 2013.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed March 19, 2013.
- Link MJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 15, 2013.
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