Side Effects Of Gamma Knife Radiation For Trigeminal Neuralgia

What are the side effects of gamma knife surgery.

Side effects of gamma knife radiation for trigeminal neuralgia.

Gamma knife radiosurgery is not actually surgery at all. Because radiosurgery is the least invasive procedure for trigeminal neuralgia it is a good treatment option for patients with co morbidities high risk medical illness or pain refractory to prior surgical procedures. Longer term evaluations are warranted 13. Side effects and risks of gamma knife for trigeminal neuralgia.

Radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. The procedure also is particularly appropriate for patients who want to minimize risk of facial numbness or cannot tolerate general anesthesia. The nature and severity of side effects depend on many factors including the size and location of the treated tumor the treatment technique for example the radiation dose the patient s general medical condition to name a few. In fact it is technically not surgery at all.

If you cannot withstand an anesthetic procedure or your trigeminal neuralgia is due to damage and not compression gamma knife radiosurgery may be the perfect option for you. Though gamma knife radiosurgery carries less risk than traditional surgery or radiation therapy any medical procedure has potential side effects. Radiosurgery gamma knife treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is the least invasive surgical option. Despite the name gamma knife radiosurgery gkrs is a completely non invasive procedure used for trigeminal neuralgia.

Gamma knife radiosurgery employs computer imaging to direct multiple beams of radiation on the targeted area particularly the location where the trigeminal nerve exits the brainstem. Side effects can occur during or shortly after radiation treatment or in the months and years following radiation. Gamma knife treatment for trigeminal neuralgia also is a good option for patients who want a nonsurgical treatment with little to no recovery time or side effects. Gamma knife is used to kill or shrink non cancerous and metastatic tumors in the brain.

The gamma knife is a device that delivers precise controlled beams of radiation to targets inside the skull including the brain and associated nerves. Though there is some evidence that the gamma knife can offer relief for trigeminal neuralgia know that the radiation is usually enough to interfere with the normal function of the trigeminal nerve that is patients are usually numb on that side of the face after this procedure. It is associated with a low risk of facial paresthesias an approximate 80 rate of significant pain relief and a low recurrence rate in patients who initially attain complete relief. Nearby healthy tissue areas do not receive radiation.

There are other options for patients with trigeminal neuralgia that is unresponsive to medication. Immediately following your treatment you may feel a little nauseous or have a headache. Gamma knife is typically a one time outpatient treatment that uses high dose ionizing radiation.