Gamma Knife thalamotomy for the treatment of persistent pain

Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
R F YoungB Copcutt

Abstract

Twenty patients who suffered persistent intractable pain from a variety of disorders underwent medial thalamotomy with the Leksell Gamma Knife. The lesions were directed at the intralaminar nuclei, the lateral portion of the medial dorsal nucleus, the centromedian and the parafascicular nuclei. Lesions were made with radiation doses from 140 to 180 Gy using a 4-mm beam collimator helmet and either a single isocenter (1 patient), two isocenters (17 patients) or three isocenters (2 patients). Two thirds of the patients experienced either excellent or good pain relief in a follow-up period between 1 and 22 months. One patient showed temporary complications which resolved, and 2 other patients also suffered complications which currently are improving. One patient died due to radiation necrosis following a bilateral thalamotomy. Gamma Knife thalamotomy may offer a potentially safe and effective alternative for the treatment of certain difficult persistent pain problems.

Citations

Jan 25, 2011·Pain·Daniel L SilbergeldJohn D Loeser
May 19, 2017·Operative Neurosurgery·Dustin G Roberts, Nader Pouratian
Dec 14, 2018·Journal of Neurosurgery·Dusan Urgosik, Roman Liscak
Mar 19, 2009·Medical Physics·J StancanelloN Modugno
Jan 31, 2020·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Jun LiHongjiang Wei
Sep 2, 2008·Journal of Neurosurgery·Justin S CetasKim J Burchiel
Dec 18, 2007·Neurosurgical Focus·Gerhard M FriehsPrakash Sampath
Oct 17, 2017·Journal of Therapeutic Ultrasound·Ying MengNir Lipsman
May 13, 2021·Neurosurgical Review·Andrea FranziniPiero Picozzi

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