Could gamma knife be the best treatment for my AVM?

Why do we treat arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)?

AVMs of the brain can have very serious consequences. They can be discovered incidentally (when a scan is done for another reason). Alternatively they can present with symptoms such as seizures or a bleed. AVMs can therefore have a very big impact on patient’s lives. Patients should discuss the specifics of their AVM with a neurosurgeon/interventional neuroradiologist team who are skilled and experienced in dealing with all three treatment modalities.

What are the treatments for AVMs?

There are three different ways of treating AVMs, embolization (“gluing”), surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife). Sometimes we use just one of these treatments and sometimes a mix of treatments depending on the characteristics of the AVM and the patient’s own preference.

What are the benefits of Gamma Knife?

Gamma knife differs from surgery and embolization in not requiring a general anaesthetic and having the capability to treat very deep and sensitively located AVMs which cannot be otherwise treated.

Gamma knife treatment uses a form of highly focused radiation which causes AVMs to gradually close off. Most patients have one treatment but occasionally we need to do a second. The benefits of gamma knife over other ways to treat AVMs include avoidance of a general anaesthetic and the ability to treat deep and difficult AVMs which are untreatable by surgery/embolization.

The top seven Gamma Knife AVM treatment FAQs:

1. Is my AVM suitable for gamma knife?

Almost all smaller AVMs and a selection of larger ones are suitable for GK.

2. My AVM bled, should I have a treatment that works more quickly than gamma knife?

That depends on whether your AVM has high risk features for a re-bleed or not.

3. What are the chances of having a complication from gamma knife treatment?

That depends on the location, size, number of treatments and any previous problems.

4. Is gamma knife more or less accurate than cyberknife?

Gamma knife and cyberknife are equally accurate.

5. Is fitting of the frame painful?

The frame fitting is uncomfortable but we do give local anaesthetic and painkillers and lots of reassurance!

6. When can I go back to work after gamma knife?

Unless you have difficult to manage seizures most patients get back to work the next day.

7. When will we start to see some effects from gamma knife?

The treatment works more slowly than other treatment options like embolization and surgery. It usually takes 4 years for maximum effect.

If you have any further questions on gamma knife and would like Ms Mary Murphy to reply, please click here.