Question concerning Gamma knife produre

[ZanMD]

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The one I'm referring to is used to correct a meningioma. Anyone familiar with this procedure? As far as sucess rates?


Here's why I ask:

http://xtremepaintballcanada.com/va...c=1544&st=0

very touching-assuming it's true(but then I"m cynical)

 

[IMGforNeuro]

Hi,
I am a FMG , but i have been a neurosurg resident in my country and my program was a very reputed center in asia.
I was unable to open the webpage you mentioned.
The basis of using a gamma knife is to remove a tumor which is relatively small for which a decompression craniotomy is not absolutely needed. If the meningioma is supratentorial then usually surgery is considered because many times they reach considerable size before producing symptoms, unless of course the surgery is risky or location is not very reachable. Large meningiomas will need craniotomy because they need to be decompressed to reduce ICP.
Skull base meningiomas may need gamma knife.
In this you focus gamma rays on a part of the tumor under MRI guidance , also called frameless stereotaxy.
However recurrent meningiomas will need radiation after decompression.
The prognosis of gamma knife is by and large good. The procedures are short and patient is discharged the other day plus there are no craniotomy related complications. Some patients after gamma knife may have hydrocephalus , for which a VP shunt (ventriculo peritoneal) is placed which is a simple procedure.
however i couldn't open the webpage you suggested so i may not be specific.

 

[ZanMD]

thanks for the outline of the procedure. Here's an actual link. Allegedly there is this 13 year old with a megioma who needs this procedure. Last it was posted he had several grand mals and was in PICU. Here's the link. It seems geniune to me, and I'm a cynic.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96852

 

[ZanMD]

nevermind..patient expired Jan 5th

 

[IMGforNeuro]

I did read the entire thing and i must say it was well worth the time and effort. Such things do make you philosophical.
Regarding meningioma , majority of these are benign.
They cause symptoms due to pressure on adjacent brain and location and have , by and large, a good prognosis.
The rare variety of malignant meningiomas are indeed very difficult to treat. So this could be the rare variety which the child was suffering from.

 

[ZanMD]

I thought it was inspiring the way everyone committed thier time effort and money towards helping this little guy. A neurosurgeon was flown in, an oncologist, and several others all pooled thier resources to formulate a surgical plan within 2 days time. Apparently it just wasn't enough