New User Course

Day One

Day one is dedicated to orienting new users to the basic principles of Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Topics include:

• Background and radiobiology of Gamma Knife radiosurgery
• Leksell Gamma Knife machine introduction 
• GammaPlan treatment planning software introduction
• Logistics of a Gamma Knife program
• Nursing-specific issues
• Stereotactic frame placement
• Imaging for radiosurgery

Days Two Through Four

Days two through four of the course cover the following topics:

• Patient observations:
  • Stereotactic frame placement
  • Mask simulation and treatment delivery
• GammaPlan treatment planning 
• Literature review, frame placement, imaging specifics, and doses/critical structures for:
  • Brain metastases
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Meningioma
  • Pituitary adenoma
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • AVM
• Mask-based fractionation, distributed, and staged radiosurgery for:
  • Brain metastases
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Meningioma
  • Pituitary adenoma
  • AVM
• Gamma Knife Icon-specific safety issues
• Gamma Knife Icon-specific physics considerations
• Pediatric anesthesia
• Gamma Knife Icon mask-based problems and solutions