What to expect during your Gamma Knife
experience
The night before
·
Do not eat or drink after midnight (to prevent nausea
during treatment)
· Take
your usual medications as directed by your
neurosurgeon
· Pack
all medications that you usually take and bring
them with you
·
Pack any CDs that you may want to listen to during
treatment
· Wash your hair using a gentle shampoo
The day of treatment
Your family
Make sure that a family member or a support person(s)
accompanies you, and stays in the Gamma Knife facility during treatment. Our facility provides a private waiting room for this purpose. This person should be able to drive you home, assist in any care you may need, and be able to authorize emergency medical treatment if it becomes necessary.
Hygiene
When you arrive, you will be asked to remove all of the following:
· makeup (including nail polish)
· hairpieces
· contact lenses
· eyeglasses
· dentures
· other portable devices
If you are being treated for an ArterioVenous Malformation (AVM) or
similar problem, you will have an angiogram the day of your treatment,
which means your groin area will be shaved before treatment.
Preparation for treatment
When you arrive at the hospital, you and your family or support person(s) will be shown to a private waiting room with comfortable seats, a bed and a television. An intravenous (IV) line may be inserted into your arm to prevent dehydration. The IV line allows easier
administration of any medicines you may require. The staff
is there to assist you if at any time you become anxious or uncomfortable.
The head frame
The head frame is a guiding device that makes sure the Gamma Knife beams
are focused exactly where the treatment is needed. It is a vital part of the treatment. It is made of a lightweight aluminum alloy that only weighs three kilograms or about 6 1/2 pounds. A localizer is attached to the frame and can be seen on the imaging studies. The localizer is used to provide and exact set of coordinates so that your
lesion or tumor is targeted precisely.
Injections
Before attachment of the frame you will receive four minor injections of a
local anesthetic, to numb you in the locations that the frame will be
attached to your head. Two injections are administered in your forehead,
and two in the back of your head. The injections are given just under
the skin and are only slightly uncomfortable. There is minimal pain
during the placement of the frame, and you may experience a feeling of
pressure or tightness that will disappear in about 15 minutes. This
guiding device stays on your head until the Gamma Knife treatment is
completed.