Radiocirugía

“The state of the art in technology contributes with maximum precision and minimum morbidity to surgery and radiotherapy of brain injuries.”

The Radiosurgery and Stereotaxic Surgery Program (Gamma Knife) offers a comprehensive package of procedures that allow maximum precision and effectiveness in the treatment of intracranial lesions. Stereotactic surgery allows to identify the precise location of any point within the cranial cavity. Stereotactic-guided radiation therapy allows radiation to focus on the injury and preserve healthy brain tissue.

The end result of these procedures is the preservation of the neurological function and well-being or better quality of life of the patient.

Services

Stereotaxy

The word comes from the Greek stereo meaning three dimensions and from the modern Latin tactic meaning organizing. An external frame-based referral system is used that is attached to the patient’s head using local anesthesia. Once the radiological examination has been taken using these references, computerized planning is carried out. This allows for maximum precision and minimal brain injury.

The correct term is stereotactic; Stereotaxic is reserved for animal research.

Radiosurgery

It is a procedure that does not require a surgical incision, general anesthesia, or hospitalization. It allows the concentration of high doses of radiation in the affected brain tissue and thus achieves results comparable to surgery. For this treatment, a frame is fitted to the head with 4 small anchors which fit the skin to the surface of the skull after the giving local anesthesia and sedation provided by the anesthesiologist, later imaging studies will be performed such as a CT scan or MRI images to show the exact location, size and shape of the lesion.

• In this treatment the patient is not required to be asleep since it does not cause pain.
• After the images are taken, planning is carried out by neurosurgeons who are experts in radiosurgery in the company of radio oncologists.
• Then the patient is taken to the site where the GAMMA KNIFE is located, where the frame is attached to the equipment’s helmet and is where the radiation will be administered through multiple holes that will be concentrated in a specific area of ​​the brain.
• This procedure is monitored at all times with cameras where the patient’s vital signs are permanently monitored.
• During the procedure, the patient is supervised by a video and audio communication system; Vital signs are permanently monitored.
• Each treatment lasts from a few minutes to a few hours; it is usually a single session where the entire treatment is administered.
• During the procedure, the stretcher will enter several times to change the coordinates of the places where the radiation must be given.

Indications

It is used in benign tumor lesions such as meningiomas, acoustic neurinomas, pituitary adenomas, and various others such as jugular glomus and hemangiopericytomas.

It is also used in brain metastases, gliomas, eye tumors such as melanomas, lymphomas, etc.

It is used in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistulas and cavernous angiomas.

Results and complications of radiosurgery

A favorable result of more than 90% is expected in all cases; that is, that more than 90% of the people treated achieve the objective and that this objective exceeds 5 years.

Complications are expected to be less than 5%; in half of these cases it could be an edema with no clinical manifestations and is treated with steroids. In the other half of the cases there are symptoms that usually subside with treatment.

A very low percentage of less than 1% presents a major complication.

The association of malignant tumors secondary to radiosurgery has an incidence of less than one case in 5,000 treatments.

These complications are generally in the medium and long term; that is, several months after the procedure and they are in relation to the treated risk area, which has to do with the disorder or site of injury presented by the patient.

¿How is our process?

Reception and initial consultation of the patient:

• Through the International Office the international patient or his international medical insurance can make the initial contact. The clinical case will be informed to the Neurosurgeon specialist in Radiosurgery, who will coordinate the evaluation of the patient and the treatment process.
• The international Office will coordinate with the medical insurance the guarantee of payment and teh required administrative process to schedule the radiosurgery. For the self-pay patient, the administrative process information will be given.
• The International Office will coordinate along with the Radiosurgery staff, the initial consultation with the neurosurgeon, exams, administrative admission and radiosurgery date. The indications for the procedure will be given in detail to the patient and the medical insurance.
• Once the procedure is performed, the patient goes to a recovery room where the post radiosurgery care  indications and the patient’s discharge are given.

PROGNOSIS

• The effects of Radiosurgery can be seen weeks or months later, which is due to the type of injury being treated. It is important to do follow up with MRI images which will be requested by your treating physician.

Technological equipment

• The unit counts with GAMMA KNIFE technology; The main feature of this equipment is the administration of the treatment without moving parts.
• The equipment has a margin of error less than 0.17mm, that is, its precision is greater than the thickness of a hair.
• The study process is supported by the state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging service.

Clinical Staff

• Neurosurgeons
• Nurses
• Medical physicists
• Anesthesiologists