Principles and practice of gamma knife radiosurgery: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the physics, biology, outcomes and risks of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in treating brain tumours, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), pain and movement disorders.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Limited to the review articles in the human study with the key word of gamma knife radiosurgery.


METHODS
In each subject, both authors reviewed related articles separately.


RESULTS
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.
Rahimi-Movaghar
V
V
Department of Neurosurgery, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, 98157, Iran.
Flickinger
J C
JC
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016634:Radiosurgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome