Stereotactic Imaging:

After the frame fixation patient is taken for imaging.

A coordinate box is fixed on the head frame for imaging. There are dedicated frames available for different imaging. Most of the patients only need MRI Scan. Some may need a CT scan too and patient with prosthesis with metal not suitable for MRI scan and those patients with pace maker are treated with CT scan only. In case of arteriovenous malformation Digital Subtraction Cerebral Angiography [Cerebral DSA] is take to delineate nidus.

Images acquired with coordinate box show fiducial markers which help in registering image in the gamma knife workstation dedicated software. It is most important to get a distortion free image for good results as all treatment is to be done with guidance from these images.

Gamma Knife Perfexion  as latest Gamma Plan PFX planning system which can define images more accurately then the previous versions. It also has capability to use images acquired before frame fixation and do a preplan before actual treatment day. Also it can used Images from PET Scan for better delineation for malignant tumors and assit in advanced planning. This software can also accept followup images to compare with treatment images and find change in size of tumor in follow-up.