Gamma Knife Treatment

Why Choose the Gamma Knife Icon?

The Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™ represents the most advanced generation of Gamma Knife technology — offering unmatched precision, flexibility, and comfort in the treatment of complex brain conditions.

Unlike earlier models, the Gamma Knife Icon provides multiple treatment options based on each patient’s clinical needs, including:

• Frame-based immobilization (for single-session, ultra-precise procedures)

• Frameless, mask-based treatment (for increased comfort and flexibility)

• Fractionated therapy, which delivers radiation in multiple sessions when needed

This flexibility allows physicians to customize the treatment approach while ensuring the same sub-millimeter accuracy that defines Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Key Features of the Gamma Knife Icon

Unrivaled Flexibility

Gamma Knife Icon is the only radiosurgery system that delivers the same level of accuracy with frameless mask-based treatment as with traditional head frames. This allows for painless, non-invasive treatment without sacrificing precision.

• Supports both single-session and multi-session (fractionated) therapies

• Allows patient-tailored approaches for both complex and sensitive brain cases

• Ideal for both functional and oncological brain conditions

Real-Time Motion Management

The system features a high-definition motion tracking system that monitors patient movement in real time with 0.15 mm accuracy — six times more precise than the industry standard.

• If the patient moves outside the pre-set safety threshold, radiation delivery pauses automatically, ensuring optimal targeting and safety.

Online Adaptive Dose Control

This advanced system constantly adapts the dose in real time, based on any changes in the patient’s position or anatomy.

• Integrated Cone Beam CT (CBCT) imaging is combined with MRI data to automatically adjust the treatment plan before and during each session

• The software continuously compares the planned dose with the actual dose being delivered, enhancing accuracy and treatment confidence

Quality & Consistency Built-In

The Gamma Knife Icon provides automatic, integrated quality control throughout the entire treatment process, minimizing human error and ensuring consistently reliable outcomes.

With the Gamma Knife Icon, patients benefit from cutting-edge, non-invasive radiosurgery — combining clinical accuracy with a more comfortable and personalized treatment experience.

How Is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Performed?

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a precise and non-invasive procedure that typically takes place over the course of a single day. Here’s how the process works:

1. Patient Positioning & Immobilization

To ensure precise targeting, patients must remain completely still during the procedure. This is achieved in one of two ways:

• Stereotactic Head Frame: For single-session treatments, a lightweight frame is attached to the patient’s head using local anesthesia. In children, this is usually done under mild sedation for comfort.

• Custom Mask System: For frameless or fractionated treatments, a thermoplastic mask is created and molded to fit the patient’s face securely and comfortably.

2. Imaging and Diagnosis

Once the patient is prepared, advanced imaging scans are performed to identify the exact location, shape, and size of the area to be treated. Depending on the condition, these may include:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – used for all patients

• Computed Tomography (CT)

• Cerebral Angiography – typically required for patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)

These images guide the treatment team in accurately mapping the target area within the brain.

3. Treatment Planning

Using specialized software, the medical team designs a customized treatment plan. This includes calculating the exact radiation dose and defining the safest and most effective angles from which the gamma rays will be delivered.

During this time, the patient rests comfortably in a private room.

4. Radiosurgery Delivery

Once the plan is finalized, the patient is positioned inside the Gamma Knife unit. The treatment is:

• Painless and silent

• Typically lasts between 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the case

• Involves no incisions, no bleeding, and no recovery room

The focused beams of gamma radiation are delivered with sub-millimeter accuracy, targeting only the abnormal tissue while sparing the healthy surrounding brain.

5. Post-Treatment & Discharge

• After the procedure, patients are monitored briefly and usually discharged on the same day

• Most patients return to normal activities within 24–48 hours

• Follow-up imaging and appointments are scheduled to monitor results