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What is Gamma Knife radiosurgery?

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a noninvasive procedure that uses precisely targeted beams of radiation to treat conditions in the brain without the need for a surgical incision. Despite its name, it is not a traditional knife; instead, it delivers a highly focused dose of radiation to specific areas of the brain, offering an effective alternative to conventional surgery.

Elekta Esprit Gamma Knife at Penn State Health

Penn State Health Neurosurgery now offers treatment with the Elekta Esprit™, a next-generation Leksell Gamma Knife® system in stereotactic radiosurgery. Esprit enhances the precision and flexibility of radiosurgical procedures, supporting both frame-based and frameless patient immobilization. Frame-based immobilization provides highly accurate targeting for complex brain conditions, while the frameless option incorporates advanced imaging and motion-tracking technologies to adapt dosing in real time. These features allow for personalized, accurate treatment planning and delivery, improving outcomes and patient comfort across a wide range of neurological conditions.

Benefits of Gamma Knife radiosurgery

Gamma Knife radiosurgery using the Elekta Esprit system offers a noninvasive, highly precise treatment for a variety of brain conditions. With no incisions and minimal side effects, it provides a safer and more comfortable alternative to traditional brain surgery.

Key benefits of Elekta Esprit:

  • Noninvasive and low risk: No incisions mean lower risk of infection, bleeding or other surgical complications. The head does not need to be shaved.
  • Flexible immobilization: Esprit supports both frame-based and frameless treatment:
    • Frame-based immobilization ensures the highest level of targeting precision for complex or critical areas.
    • Frameless option uses advanced mask-based immobilization and Esprit’s real-time motion tracking for personalized, accurate dosing.
  • Efficient and comfortable treatment:
    • Sessions are typically completed in under two hours.
    • Multiple tumors can be treated in a single session.
    • Patients return home the same day.
  • Enhanced reach and accuracy:
    • Capable of treating tumors in challenging locations such as the sinuses, orbits (eye sockets) and upper cervical spine.
    • Advanced radiation-shaping technology focuses high doses on the target while sparing healthy brain tissue.
  • Fast recovery: Patients avoid the lengthy recovery of open surgery and often resume normal activity within days.
  • Superior precision: Esprit delivers submillimeter accuracy, improving outcomes and reducing radiation to surrounding brain areas.

Conditions treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery

Elekta Esprit Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an insurance-approved procedure for numerous conditions involving the brain and skull base, including:

Brain tumors (benign and malignant)

  • Metastatic tumors: Commonly from lung, breast, kidney, colon, ovary or skin cancers, such as melanoma, especially those resistant to conventional radiation.
  • Primary benign tumors:
    • Meningiomas
    • Pituitary adenomas
    • Vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas)
  • Recurrent tumors: Often treatable even after prior surgery or whole-brain radiation, without needing another open procedure.

Functional brain disorders

  • Trigeminal neuralgia: Delivers focused relief from severe facial pain when medications fail, with many patients achieving complete or significant relief and minimal numbness.
  • Tremors: For selected patients with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor, Esprit can precisely target and lesion specific brain regions to control hand tremors, especially when other treatments are not suitable.

Vascular conditions

  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Noninvasive treatment for tangled blood vessels in the brain, either as a standalone therapy or part of a multi-stage treatment plan.
  • Dural arteriovenous fistulas: Can be effectively targeted and treated with radiosurgery.
  • Cavernous malformations: Certain cases may benefit from focused radiosurgery.

Seizure disorders

  • Epilepsy: In selected cases, radiosurgery can target seizure-causing brain lesions when conventional surgery is not an option.

Pre-Procedure Instructions

During your clinic appointment with the neurosurgeon or radiation oncologist

Please let your provider’s nurse or medical assistant (MA) know if you are diabetic or on blood thinner medication (Coumadin, Aggrenox, aspirin or aspirin-containing products). While we don’t necessarily have to stop these medications, we may need to make additional arrangements for your care.

One week before your procedure

Stop all aspirin or aspirin-containing products unless it is a part of your daily medication regimen. You may continue to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as needed for pain, as well as any prescribed pain medications.

Preparation for your procedure

  • Nothing to eat after midnight the night before your procedure. You make drink clear liquids until your arrival at the Gamma Knife Center. Take your medications the morning of the procedure with a sip of water or clear liquids. If you must take your medicine with food, please have something light (toast, muffin, bread). NO EGGS, MILK, OR SUGARY FOODS OF ANY KIND.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing to your procedure. You will need to change into a hospital gown, but please wear a shirt that is easy to get on/off after your procedure – your head may be sensitive. You may wear wedding rings, but no other jewelry. Please arrive with clean hair (shampoo and conditioner is fine). No hair styling products of any kind – no hairspray, mousse, or gels. 
  • You may bring any music you would like to listen to with you. We can play music from mp3 players, iPods, or CDs. We also have access to satellite radio.
  • You will need a driver to come with you to take you home after your treatment. Please park your car in the South Garage. As you pull into the garage, there are reserved parking spaces on level 1 North for our patients (directly across from the elevator). Please use these for the day; however, we request that you use only one space per patient. If you have other family coming for your treatment, they may park anywhere else in the garage.
  • You will need to arrive for your treatment at 6 a.m. in the South Annex. Our front doors open at 5:30 a.m., and if needed, your family member may pull the car up to the front door to drop you off before parking the car. Your family may wait for you in the waiting area during your treatment.
  • Once your treatment is completed, your family member will be asked to listen to the discharge instructions with you. You will leave with printed instructions on how to care for yourself, as well as your return appointments already scheduled.

FAQs

How is the procedure billed?

The Gamma Knife insurance authorization representative will obtain pre-authorization for procedures. For questions, please contact us at 717-531-4889, option 3, or visit these pages for more information on

How do I schedule my procedure?

After meeting with the neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist, the GK coordinator will contact you to schedule your procedure. At your request, a tour of the facility will be provided during one of your appointments with the physicians.

Where do I go on the day of my procedure?

Park in the south parking garage, and exit the garage to the South Annex (the door will be on your left immediately after exiting the elevator). Check in at the front desk at 6 a.m. unless otherwise scheduled by the Gamma Knife coordinator.

Can I take my medications on the day of my procedure?

You should have nothing to eat after midnight, but please take your medications. You may have clear liquids up until your arrival at the Center.

What should I wear on the day of my procedure?

Please wear comfortable clothing to change into after your procedure. It is recommended to wear a shirt with a larger neck (V-neck, button-up, zip-up style) as your head may be sensitive after the procedure. 

What should I bring to the procedure?

You may bring music to listen to during your treatment. We can accommodate iPods or CDs. As there is limited room, only one to two family members can be with you at a time prior to your treatment. Please keep all valuables at home.

Can I drive after the procedure?

No, you will need a driver to come with you to take you home after your treatment as you will be receiving sedation for your procedure. As you pull into the south parking garage, there are reserved parking spaces on the left hand side for patients directly across from the elevator. Please use these for the day; however we request that you use only one space per patient. If you have other family coming for your treatment, they may park anywhere else in the garage.