Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses focused beams of high-dose radiation to treat abnormalities, tumors, or functional disorders within the brain or other parts of the body. Unlike traditional surgery, SRS does not involve making incisions. Instead, it relies on precisely targeted radiation to destroy targeted tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Here are key points about stereotactic radiosurgery:
- Precision: SRS uses detailed imaging (such as MRI, CT scans, or angiography) to pinpoint the exact location of the area to be treated. This allows for extremely precise targeting of the radiation beams.
- Technology: Common systems used for SRS include Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, and linear accelerators (LINAC). Each system uses different methods to deliver radiation, but all aim to focus radiation on the target with high accuracy.
- Procedure: The procedure typically involves the following steps:
- Planning: Detailed imaging studies are performed to map the area to be treated.
- Immobilization: The patient is positioned and immobilized to ensure accuracy. This might involve a head frame or a custom-made mask.
- Treatment: The radiation is delivered over one or several sessions, depending on the system used and the condition being treated.
- Benefits
- Non-invasive: No incisions are made, reducing the risk of infection and other complications.
- Minimal recovery time: Most patients can resume normal activities shortly after the procedure.
- Precision: Minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
SRS is highly effective for many conditions, particularly when traditional surgery is not an option due to the location or size of the abnormality or the overall health of the patient. The precision of stereotactic radiosurgery allows for targeted, high doses of radiation to treat the affected areas with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue. This technique is widely used to treat a variety of conditions, including brain tumors (both malignant and benign), arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), trigeminal neuralgia, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, and epilepsy.