Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Neurosurgery located in Birmingham, AL
Stereotactic radiosurgery can safely treat various neurological problems, including brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and trigeminal neuralgia. At Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine in Birmingham, Alabama, the board-certified neurosurgeons regularly perform stereotactic radiosurgery –– a highly specialized type of radiation. Call the office to request a stereotactic radiosurgery consultation today, or make an appointment online.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a type of radiation therapy. It uses focused radiation beams to eliminate tumors and other problems affecting the brain, neck, or spine.
Stereotactic radiosurgery doesn’t involve incisions. Instead, your Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine provider uses 3D imaging to find and target abnormal growths. The machine emits large doses of radiation, killing the cancerous cells without harming the surrounding, healthy tissue.
Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine administers stereotactic radiosurgery using a linear accelerator (LINAC).
LINAC machines treat cancerous and noncancerous growths in the brain and other parts of the body. These machines can eliminate small tumors in a single treatment, but larger tumors may need up to five treatment sessions.
Stereotactic radiosurgery can also be administered using Gamma Knife, which uses a different type of radiation (gamma rays). The surgeons at Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spinel do not perform Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Research shows that LINAC and Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery have the same effectiveness and safety, and compared to Gamma Knife, LINAC treatment is faster. It also does not require the patient to have a frame attached to the head with sharp pins.
Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine uses stereotactic radiosurgery to treat various neurological problems, including:
Stereotactic radiosurgery can treat tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease and other functional neurological disorders.
Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine offers stereotactic radiosurgery on an outpatient basis. You can return home after treatment. The procedure typically lasts less than 1-2 hours.
When you arrive at the office, you change into a gown and lie down on your back. Then, your provider prepares the stereotactic radiosurgery machine.
The preparation involved depends on the location of your growth, whether it’s cancerous or not, and the type of radiosurgery performed.
If you’re undergoing LINAC surgery, a custom face mask will be made to hold your head still during treatment.
Once you’re in position, your Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine provider uses diagnostic imaging (like CT scans or MRIs) to pinpoint the abnormal growth. Then, they administer targeted bursts of radiation, causing the growth to shrink and die.
Call Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine to request a stereotactic radiosurgery consultation today or book online.