8th Baltic Congress of Radiology

Head and Neck Radiology

oral abstract

Main objective of this research is to find out what is the pattern of patient positioning errors when treating with a gamma knife.

In this study it was analyzed at the theoretical level the methodology of fractional treatment with a gamma knife. Evaluated and compared with each other the accuracy of several patients positioning without correction in the fractional treatment. Compared the obtained empirical data and estimated the possible errors if no additional positioning correction is applied.

Study showed errors in the treatment with a gamma knife, when no additional patient positioning corrections are made, and the patterns of the errors. Assessing the positioning accuracy of fractional treatment without correction, it was observed that the errors are variable and different. However, pattern is seen in all investigated cases. The deviation was greatest at the beginning of fractional treatment and the smallest at mid- or late-treatment. Thus, dividing the treatment into more fractions reduces errors.

The Gamma Knife is a very precise treatment in the field of stereotactic radiosurgery. Treatment with a gamma knife uses cobalt-60 isotopes. 192 rays of ionizing radiation concentrated at a single point affect the desired cells and kill them. With the help of computers and many sensors, this is done very accurately. The treatment can be performed once or in fractions - several times. Assessing the positioning accuracy of fractional treatment without correction, it was observed that the errors are variable and different. However, pattern is seen in all five cases. The deviation was greatest at the beginning of fractional treatment and the smallest at mid- or late-treatment. Thus, dividing the treatment into more fractions reduces errors. In the absence of additional correction, treatment would be inaccurate and cause damage to healthy tissues. Although the errors are small, accuracy is the most important indicator when working with ionizing radiation.

The Gamma Knife is a very precise treatment in the field of stereotactic radiosurgery. Treatment with a gamma knife uses cobalt-60 isotopes. 192 rays of ionizing radiation concentrated at a single point affect the desired cells and kill them. The treatment can be performed once or in fractions. However there is patient possitioning errors. The research shows those error patterns. Although the errors are small, accuracy is the most important indicator when working with ionizing radiation.

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