Gamma Knife South Africa

Professional overview

for acoustic neuroma

Key takeouts

Although the term acoustic neuroma is often used, vestibular schwannoma is technically more correct.

Tumour control with Gamma Knife treatment has been reported to be between 941 % and 972%.

After Gamma Knife surgery, many acoustic neuromas shrink after three years. (It has been documented that there may be tumour swelling in the first three years after treatment.) Tumours that do not shrink may remain stable ie there is no further growth. Only 2.9 %2 – 4.83% of acoustic neuromas need further treatment after Gamma Knife surgery.

The current medical evidence shows that Gamma Knife radiosurgery is the best practice for single acoustic neuromas that are smaller than 3 cm in diameter4,5

Internationally proven treatment

Numerous studies from around the world show that complications are significantly reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery compared to traditional micro surgical approaches6.

Over the years, the radiation dose used in Gamma Knife treatment has decreased and7 the accuracy of the technology has improved. This in turn has improved the safety8 for patients.

New evidence also shows that earlier treatment may protect against hearing loss and have better preservation of facial nerve function9.

Complications reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery

There are always risks associated with any treatment, but studies have shown that Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery has the lowest risks or complications in the treatment of acoustic neuromas. Only a very small percentage (2 % and under) of patients experience complications with Gamma Knife surgery.

Complications reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery

There are always risks associated with any treatment, but studies have shown that Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery has the lowest risks or complications in the treatment of acoustic neuromas. Only a very small percentage (2 % and under) of patients experience complications with Gamma Knife surgery.
Facial nerve impairment (less than 2 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Sparing the facial nerve is an important goal in acoustic neuroma treatment. Some patients do have facial nerve problems when they are diagnosed but with Gamma Knife treatment, the risk of a new occurrence is very low. After Gamma Knife radiosurgery, less than 2 % of patients report new facial nerve problems10
Trigeminal nerve impairment (mild to severe facial pain) (only 1.8 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
When treating an acoustic neuroma with Gamma Knife radiosurgery, facial pain (mild to severe) can be a side-effect. Earlier studies of Gamma Knife radiosurgery reported a 2.3 % rate11 of trigeminal nerve impairment after Gamm Knife treatment, but with modern dosing, this rate has dropped to just 1.8 %. This2 means that only 1.8 % (18 out of a thousand) of patients experience this side-effect.
Vertigo (feeling that one’s head is spinning) and Imbalance (only 1.5 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
After Gamma Knife radiosurgery, vertigo and imbalance, another possible side-effect of treatment, affects just 1.5 %11 (15 out of a thousand) of patients.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) (only 1.7 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Tinnitus is a presenting symptom (the reason for looking for medical care) for many acoustic neuroma patients. About 20% of patients (1 in 5) may experience an improvement in this original symptom once treated by gamma knife treatment. After2 Gamma Knife surgery, a very small number (1.7%11or 17 out of a thousand) of patients who were tinnitus free may develop new onset tinnitus because of the treatment.
Hydrocephalus (build-up of fluid in the cavities inside the brain) (only 0.85 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Medical literature shows that hydrocephalus occurs as a complication of Gamma Knife surgery in less than 1 % (0.85 %) of patients which11 is usually corrected through surgical drainage.
Hearing preservation after Gamma Knife-treatment

Gamma knife treatment is associated with the best preservation of functional hearing when compared to microsurgery.

New data suggests that patients who are being observed with the “watch and wait” approach, had better results when they had Gamma Knife treatment earlier.