Principles and practice of gamma knife radiosurgery: a review.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the physics, biology, outcomes and risks of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in treating brain tumours, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), pain and movement disorders. DATA SOURCES A retrospective MEDLINE search was used to find all gamma knife radiosurgery studies published from 1967 to 12th March 2005 and strict inclusion criteria were applied. STUDY SELECTION Limited to the review articles in the human study with the key word of gamma knife radiosurgery. DATA EXTRACTION In each subject, both authors reviewed related articles separately. DATA SYNTHESIS: Adding up data and compare the results. CONCLUSIONS: The GKRS represents one of the most advanced means available to treat brain tumours, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), pain and movement disorders safely and effectively. At present, the long-term results after GKRS procedures remain to be documented. The physics, biology, current indications and expected outcomes after GKRS are discussed.