Leksell Radiosurgery

Since its introduction 52 years ago, Leksell radiosurgery has become a widely applied technique for the management of a diverse group of vascular, neoplastic, and functional disorders. This publication presents an update on state-of-the-art radiosurgery technology, including outcomes, by the pioneers in the field. Experts have contributed chapters on various topics. They provide a history of the development of Leksell Gamma Knife and its evolution from frame-based to the inclusion of mask-based radiosurgery in the latest Gamma Knife model. For beginners, there is valuable information related to imaging, quality assurance, patient care, anesthesia, and regulatory requirements. Advance users will appreciate the summary of the long-term outcome of important indications. Additional chapters on cavernous malformation, orbital, uveal, and ocular disorders clarify the role of radiosurgery. This book is a concise overview for physicians interested in radiosurgery. It will be of great value to neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists concerned with learning about the indications of radiosurgery.

In this third edition of Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Drs. Sheehan and Lunsford provide an updated assessment of the practice of stereotactic radiosurgery. Topics include benign and malignant tumors, cerebrovascular abnormalities, and functional disorders. Several new topics are now included and focus on immunotherapy, hypofractionation, and repeat radiosurgery. Each chapter contains key figures and tables to illustrate the critical concepts of the work. Contributors to the book represent many of the most prestigious stereotactic radiosurgery centers across the world. This book is comprised of 36 chapters and represents a comprehensive update to prior editions. It is intended to be a readable, credible, and accessible reference on stereotactic radiosurgery. Editors Jason Sheehan, MD, PhD, FACS, FAANS, is the Vice Chair and Harrison Distinguished Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia (UVA). He also serves as the Neurosciences Service Line Director at UVA. Dr. Sheehan is the current chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Section on Tumors. He serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Neuro-Oncology. L. Dade Lunsford, MD, serves as the Lars Leksell Professor and Distinguished Professor at the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also director of the Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an internationally recognized authority on stereotactic surgery, radiosurgery, and minimally invasive surgery. He has authored or coauthored more than 1,000 scientific reports and 16 books.

This publication aims to give comprehensive information on the methods of gamma knife radiosurgery and the results of treatment of the most frequent diagnoses using radiosurgery. A summarisation of existing knowledge and results obtained in gamma knife radiosurgery world-wide is based on experience with treatment of more than 13,500 patients over 20 years at Na Homolce Hospital, Prague. Besides detailing the basic data of Leksell gamma knife radiosurgery, this book also provides thorough technical description of former and existing gamma knife models, basic physics principles of gamma knife radiosurgery, calibration and quality assurance as well as standardised treatment procedures. The book is primarily intended for physicians, who, together with the patient decide on the most appropriate methods of treatment for each diagnosis. The publication can be also helpful to medical physicists who are involved in gamma knife radiosurgery and responsible for its calibration and quality assurance. Finally, it is also intended for patients who are looking for, if necessary, more comprehensive information on the radiosurgical treatment method for tumours and other brain disorders.

The History of the Gamma Knife presents the evolution of concepts and technology which ended in the production of the modern Gamma Knife. The story starts before the Second World War and links pioneers in Berkeley and Sweden. To the best of the author’s belief it is the first detailed, factually accurate account of the development of this important therapeutic method. The author has been involved in Gamma Knife surgery since the early days and has written 3 books and many papers on the topic The author is fluent in Scandinavian languages and knows the original pioneers in the field and has consulted with them to ensure the story is accurate The book is written in an informal easy to read style The book fills a vacuum in the literature. There are many short accounts of a few pages but no hopefully definitive account of the story of the Gamma Knife. Also these short accounts all too often contain errors which hopefully are absent from the current text

An excellent summary of more than 30 years of accumulated experience Clinical outcomes of brain vascular malformation have been greatly improved by advances in microsurgery, endovascular techniques and stereotactic radiosurgery. Radiosurgery has proven to be the least invasive technique and is associated with documented long-term success. The papers in this volume present the experience of leading brain vascular malformation specialists who describe the outcome of radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulas. These reviews expand the knowledge of the role of stereotactic radiosurgery alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Evidence-based guidelines are included in each section to provide a summary of the current management strategies. This unique publication includes additional data that will further define the long-term benefit and risks of radiosurgery for these often complex vascular disorders and makes valuable reading for neurosurgeons, neurologists and endovascular specialists interested in an excellent summary of more than 30 years of accumulated experience in the management of brain vascular malformations.

This book is a comprehensive review of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): its physics, clinical evidence, indications, and future directions. The utilization of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasing internationally because of several factors. First, it offers patients a local treatment option that has demonstrated effectiveness similar to traditional surgery without the morbidity of general anesthesia and open surgical resection. Second, recent advancements in the quality of scientific evidence supporting a SRS or SBRT-containing approach in patients continues to evolve and demonstrate favorable disease-specific outcomes with little, if any, toxicity in various anatomic disease sites and for various conditions including cancer, benign tumors, and other psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Third, and most provocatively, is the notion that definitive local therapy (i.e. SRS or SBRT) in patients with cancer can boost the immune system to fight cancer in other sites throughout the body. While traditional medical knowledge would suggest that all patients with metastatic cancer are incurable, there is a mounting body of evidence that there is a subset of these patients that can be cured with definitive SRS or SBRT. This volume thus delves into each of these benefits and aspects of treatment, guiding physicians to the best treatment plan for their patients. Expert, international authors provide guidelines for SRS and SBRT use by clinicians. Chapters are divided into six main sections: Radiobiology of Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, Intracranial Radiosurgery Technique, Intracranial Radiosurgery by Indication, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Technique, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy by Indication, The Future of Radiosurgery and SBRT. Overall physics are explained, as well as specific considerations for particular surgical tools (including the Leksell Gamma Knife and Accuray CyberKnife), techniques (including fractionated and charged particle radiosurgery), and anatomic sites (including brain metastases, pituitary tumors, and the prostate). Detailed images and charts enhance the chapters. This book provides physicians with a single, practical resource incorporating both of these broad categories of treatment, SRS and SBRT, and better defines the current role and the direction of radiosurgery.

Surviving Neurosurgery: Vignettes of Resilience is a practical guide to the inner workings of the lives of neurosurgeons, healthcare partners, and patients. To this end, this text serves as a first-hand documentary of the unique challenges faced as one progresses through their career. It is a snapshot in time capturing the experiences of both patients and providers. The text is divided into seven parts that run the gamut of a neurosurgeon’s career symbolic of the seven years of neurosurgical training. These narratives include, but are not limited to, residency challenges, surgical nuances, research and funding, embracing humanity, patient experiences, and overcoming hurdles along the journey. Chapters share the wisdom and experiences of over 100 authors consisting of patients, trainees, advanced practice providers, and attending neurosurgeons.

In this third edition of Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Drs. Sheehan and Lunsford provide an updated assessment of the practice of stereotactic radiosurgery. Topics include benign and malignant tumors, cerebrovascular abnormalities, and functional disorders. Several new topics are now included and focus on immunotherapy, hypofractionation, and repeat radiosurgery. Each chapter contains key figures and tables to illustrate the critical concepts of the work. Contributors to the book represent many of the most prestigious stereotactic radiosurgery centers across the world. This book is comprised of 36 chapters and represents a comprehensive update to prior editions. It is intended to be a readable, credible, and accessible reference on stereotactic radiosurgery. Editors Jason Sheehan, MD, PhD, FACS, FAANS, is the Vice Chair and Harrison Distinguished Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia (UVA). He also serves as the Neurosciences Service Line Director at UVA. Dr. Sheehan is the current chair of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Section on Tumors. He serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Neuro-Oncology. L. Dade Lunsford, MD, serves as the Lars Leksell Professor and Distinguished Professor at the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also director of the Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an internationally recognized authority on stereotactic surgery, radiosurgery, and minimally invasive surgery. He has authored or coauthored more than 1,000 scientific reports and 16 books.