Advantages

Gamma Knife treatment offers these advantages:

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  Non-invasive procedure
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  Delivered in a single treatment session
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  Precise mechanical accuracy of .3mm
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  Decreased risk: avoids risks and complications of traditional surgery
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  Minimal hospital stay: usually performed in an outpatient treatment session; patient can resume normal activities within days of procedure
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  Cost-effective: Reduced costs due to post-surgical complications; no expenses for disability and convalescence
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  Reimbursement by most insurance payors

Additional advantages to the Gamma Knife Perfexion system:

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  Has new radiation shielding levels that are up to 100 times better than alternative technologies on the market.
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  Provides unlimited reach to areas in the brain, and with future fixation devices, can reach into the cervical spine area.
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  Being fully automated makes the treatment process more user friendly and efficient for both the treating physicians and patients.
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  Includes added features to increase patient comfort while still providing the most accurate stereotactic radiosurgical procedures for the brain.

Testimonitals

Mr. Miersma first went to another medical center for a Gamma Knife treatment. The physicians placed the Gamma frame without anesthesia causing Mr. Miersma "terrible pain" to the point of elevating his blood pressure significantly. Only after the frame was placed did the physicians there realize they "could not reach the lesion" and recommended Mr. Miersma see Dr. Apuzzo at USC. At USC, the frames are placed with an anesthesiologist who provides sedation. Mr. Miersma stated this time his frame placement "was nothing...I don't remember a thing." The team at USC University Hospital was able to reach the lesion and Mr. Miersma was successfully treated.

Rosa Garcia is a 63 year old female who was born in Mexico and later moved to Los Angeles. Rosa required Gamma Knife treatment and then needed to continue with her chemotherapy. Rosa entered our unit nervous and afraid that her language barrier would make her feel isolated. It was explained to both Rosa and her concerned family that we had translators who would keep her informed during the treatment. Rosa was comfortable with all procedures since she was informed, and successfully completed her Gamma treatment. Afterward she stated that she felt "amazingly well" and was able to move forward with her other treatments with confidence.

Patricia Ryan received multiple Gamma Knife treatments and describes her experience as doing “everything it was supposed to do. I am in remission now and can continue on with my life." Patricia loves to keep active and especially loves to swim. In January, Patricia and her husband William went to Hawaii, where Patricia swam everyday for over an hour. William said her illness was not going to stop her and noted that "the Gamma Knife treatment helps her do what she loves to do." Patricia also swims several times a week at home and according to her husband, "there's no stopping her."