Gamma Knife radiosurgery revolutionized the treatment of human brain diseases when it was introduced more than three decades ago. The University of Washington Gamma Knife Center at Harborview Medical Center, in Seattle, Washington, is one of the first sites in the country to offer the latest in Gamma Knife technology -- the Model 4C.
Patients at the UW Gamma Knife Center at Harborview with
arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and functional brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease have significantly improved options for treatment.
This minimally invasive radiosurgery technology treats patients with abnormalities that are located within the brain or that are too close to delicate structures and blood vessels. It requires little or no anesthesia, offers a fast recovery time and is safer and less costly than surgery or full-brain radiation.
Nearly 100,000 Gamma Knife procedures have been performed since the technology first became available in 1968. Almost a third of these patients sought relief from blood vessel problems (i.e. AVMs). Nearly two-thirds were treated for brain tumors, including the more common acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, metastatic cancer, glial tumors and rarer types of tumors. A small percentage sought treatment to relieve functional disorders like unmanageable pain, trigeminal neuralgia, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Consultation and Referral Information
Typically, patients are seen in consultation and initially by a neurosurgeon or a radiotherapist. Then, our radiosurgery panel evaluates each case. After further evaluation, the appropriate method of therapy is tailored for each individual. In some cases, patients will require MRI, CT and functional MRI, angiograph and neurophysiological evaluation.
Physicians can refer patients to the Gamma Knife Center at Harborview by calling 1-888-GAMMA-68 (1-888-426-6268)
U-Link Provides On-line Access to Medical Records
All physicians referring into Harborview will be offered the option of obtaining a secured password and directions for accessing your patient's medical records on-line using U-Link. For more information about U-Link, call Harborview's Transfer Center at 206-731-6266 or send e-mail to: hmculink@u.washington.edu.
Referring providers should use our UW Medicine Referral Request (PDF).
For further information on referring, see our Gamma Knife Center Referral Guidelines (PDF)
Content provided by the University of Washington, Gamma Knife Center at Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.