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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffGamma-knife radiosurgery doesn't involve surgical incisions, so it's less risky than traditional neurosurgery — where you can have problems with anesthesia, bleeding and infection.
In some cases, gamma-knife radiosurgery can cause radiation injury to brain tissue surrounding the target. This can cause swelling, which may develop months after the procedure. In most cases, this swelling is temporary and resolves without treatment. Some people may need corticosteroid medications to control persistent brain swelling.
The risk of radiation injury increases with the amount of brain tissue receiving treatment. Gamma-knife radiosurgery, as a general rule, is best suited to target areas measuring no more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) at their widest points.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/stereotactic.asp. Accessed July 31, 2008.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Radiosurgery Using the Gamma Knife. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 2006.
- Gamma Knife. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=gamma_knife. Accessed July 31, 2008.
- Chen CC, et al. Stereotactic cranial radiosurgery and radiotherapy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 31, 2008.
- Wen PY, et al. Treatment of brain metastases in favorable prognosis patients. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Singer RJ, et al. Brain arteriovenous malformations. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Zahid BH, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Park JK, et al. Acoustic neuroma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Abram S, et al. Stereotactic radiation techniques in the treatment of acoustic schwannomas. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2007;40(3):571-588.
- PituitaryFAQs, Pituitary Network Association. http://www.pituitary.org/faq/. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with Pituitary Adenomas. Harrisburg, Pa. International RadioSurgery Association. http://www.irsa.org/Pituitary%20Guideline.pdf. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Kavanagh G, et al. Complications of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=stereotactic&bhcp=1. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Link M. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 7, 2008.
