Side Effects Of Gamma Knife Surgery For Acoustic Neuroma

It s possible although rare to experience side effects from treatment with gamma knife well after the procedure.

Side effects of gamma knife surgery for acoustic neuroma.

Delayed side effects of gamma knife treatment. Mayo clinic specialists offer a range of individualized treatment options including gamma knife radiosurgery. Other short term side effects that are uncommon but still possible include. Sometimes referred to as gamma knife surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery srs gamma knife treatment is actually a non invasive radiation treatment.

Assistant professor department of otolaryngology head and neck surgery medical university of south carolina. He was confident that gamma knife radiosurgery would shrink the tumor and preserve edward s hearing. The 7th cranial nerve or facial nerve is often affected in the treatment of an acoustic neuroma. Acoustic neuroma patients can experience facial pain weakness or paralysis either before or after treatment.

Doctors use stereotactic radiosurgery or gamma knife surgery to treat smaller acoustic neuromas. Gamma knife treatment provides 92 to 97 percent tumor control rates for acoustic neuroma patients after five years. Hair loss near the treated area if close to the scalp. Lunsford aimed hundreds of highly focused radiation beams at eddie s acoustic neuroma shrinking it and slowing its growth.

Eddie received treatment the morning after he arrived in pittsburgh. It may also be used when conventional surgery is not possible due to poor health or advanced age. Gamma knife radiosurgery is an excellent treatment option for many patients with acoustic neuroma but you may be unfamiliar with the technology. Gamma knife side effects for acoustic neuroma treatment the most common side effect from gamma knife or any form of stereotactic radiosurgery is hearing loss says ted mcrackan md mscr director skull base center.

Swelling in the brain. That s why the following information is designed to help you better understand more about gamma knife radiosurgery as a treatment option including gamma knife acoustic neuroma side effects. Skin irritation near the treatment site. Post surgery facial paralysis is less common than it used to be because of changes in the way surgeons attend to facial nerve concerns.

Although benign acoustic neuromas can impact patients quality of life significantly. Common symptoms include unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.