The aim of neurosurgery has always been to gain the maximal benefit for the patient with the minimum amount of risk. Modern neurosurgery and radiosurgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions including brain tumours, brain haemorrhages, pain, epilepsyA tendency to have recurrent seizures., and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Neurosurgery for brain tumours

By Mr Ranjeev Bhangoo, Consultant NeurosurgeonContact
King's College Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic

It is now well recognised that patients with brain tumours (and their family) do best if managed by a group of doctors, both medical and surgical, who have a particular interest in the management of brain tumours. This is known as a tumour Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). All patients with brain tumours should receive highly individualised care that delivers not only the best treatment possible for the patient but treatment that is appropriate to the patient’s and family’s psychological and emotional needs. The aim of neurosurgery has always been to gain the maximal benefit for the patient with the minimum amount of risk.

Gamma Knife® FAQs

By Mr Ian Sabin, Consultant NeurosurgeonContact
Barts and the London NHS Trust, The Wellington Hospital

The Gamma Knife® is a machine designed to deliver radiationEnergy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays. in a very precise manner by targeting hundreds of pinpointed beams of radiation directly at the tumourAn abnormal swelling.. This is a non-invasiveAny test or technique that does not involve penetration of the skin. The term 'non-invasive' may also describe tumours that do not invade surrounding tissues. and non-surgical treatment for brain conditions.

When is treatment with Gamma Knife® radiosurgery appropriate?

By Mr Ian Sabin, Consultant NeurosurgeonContact
Barts and the London NHS Trust, The Wellington Hospital

The Gamma Knife® (GK) is a machine designed to deliver radiationEnergy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays. in a very precise manner, to treat a patient with a single dose over the course of a day rather than in a number of doses over weeks. The early prototype was first used in the late 1960s but was later developed to a model more comparable to today’s machine in the mid-1980s.

Gamma Knife® Surgery and Neurosurgery

By Mr Ian Sabin, Consultant NeurosurgeonContact
Barts and the London NHS Trust, The Wellington Hospital

Introduction

The Leksell Gamma Knife® is used to deliver radiotherapyThe treatment of disease using radiation. with precision to treat a variety of neurological Associated with the nervous system and the brain. problems involving the brain. Most of the conditions treated are tumours – both benignNot dangerous, usually applied to a tumour that is not malignant. and malignantDescribes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body. – but in addition tangles of arteries and veins (arterio-venousRelating to the veins. malformations –AVMs) can be obliterated and the excruciating facial pain known as trigeminal neuralgiaA disorder of the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face. can be relieved.

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Ian Sabin

Further Information

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