Despite the name, no knife or traditional surgery is involved. Instead, a pioneering Gamma Knife® machine uses three-dimensional computer imaging to deliver very narrow and intensely focused beams of gamma radiation with pinpoint accuracy to defined areas of the brain. This highly targeted radiation destroys the diseased cells without damaging adjacent tissue.
Gamma Knife® does not carry the risks of open brain surgery and is undertaken as a day case procedure, with most patients returning to normal activities the next day.
The dedicated Gamma Knife® Service Manager at Leeds Gamma Knife Centre is responsible for managing the service and patient referrals. The treatment is available to both NHS and private patients, with all referrals discussed by the multi-disciplinary team of experts prior to acceptance.
Conditions treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Consultants
Mr Nick Phillips – Consultant in Neurosurgery/Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(Vestibular Schwannoma, Pituitary adenoma, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Glomus)
Mr Atul Tyagi – Consultant in Neurosurgery/Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(Meningioma, Arteriovenous Malformations, Cavernoma, Glomus, Haemangioblastoma)
Mr Ian Anderson – Consultant in Neurosurgery/Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(Meningioma, Arteriovenous Malformations, Cavernoma, Glomus, Haemangioblastoma
Dr Paul Hatfield – Consultant in Clinical Oncology/Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(Metastases, Ependymoma, Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Paediatric Neuro-Oncology)
Dr Mike Flatley – Consultant in Clinical Oncology/Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(Metastases, Ependymoma, Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Paediatric Neuro-Oncology)