Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be an attractive option for patients with a single brain tumor, multiple brain tumors, stubborn facial pain or cluster headaches as well as those with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). It can be used for inoperable tumors or lesions deep within the brain, for patients of advanced age or those with other health conditions that could complicate open surgery. In some cases, Dr. Bovis may recommend Gamma Knife radiosurgery in conjunction with open surgery, endovascular embolization, or other treatments in a staged approach.

Specifically Dr. Bovis may recommend Gamma Knife radiosurgery for patients with:

  • Acoustic neuromas
  • AVMs (arteriovenous malformations)
  • Benign brain tumors
    • Acoustic neuroma
    • Meningioma
    • Pineal tumor
    • Pituitary tumor
  • Malignant brain tumors
    • Astrocytoma
    • Mixed gliomas
  • Meningiomas
  • Metastatic brain tumors/brain metastases
  • Pituitary Tumors
  • Trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain)

Benefits to Patients

Today’s Gamma Knife reflects the most sophisticated imaging techniques and radiation dosage planning capabilities. Its benefits include:

  • Enhanced safety: No incision means less risk of surgical complications such as hemorrhage, infection or reaction to anesthesia.
  • Maximum precision: The Gamma Knife delivers sub-millimeter accuracy, ensuring the right dosage of radiation to the specific location of the brain tumor or brain lesion.
  • Virtually pain-free treatment: Gamma Knife radiosurgery is virtually painless, with little procedural discomfort or post-operative recovery pain.
  • Shorter recovery times: Because Gamma Knife radiosurgery is non-invasive, recovery times are significantly decreased and hospital stays are brief. Rehabilitation is not usually necessary. Patients can resume their pre-treatment lifestyles almost immediately.
  • Remarkable success: Perfected over a 40-year timeframe, Gamma Knife radiosurgery has demonstrated exceptional clinical worldwide success.

Illinois Gamma Knife Center

Dr. Bovis is Co-Medical Director of the Illinois Gamma Knife Center at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village. Opened in 2006, the experienced team at the Illinois Gamma Knife Center has treated hundreds of patients with brain tumors, facial pain and AVMs.

The sophistication, efficacy and safety of the Gamma Knife is unquestionable. This technology becomes even more powerful in the hands and under the direction of a compassionate, highly experienced and nationally recognized neurosurgeon like Dr. Bovis.

To request an appointment with Dr. Bovis, please email him at info@gbovismd.com or call 847 698-1088. For more information about the Illinois Gamma Knife Center visit www.igkc.org.

CyberKnife Overview

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, as part of its commitment to and expansion of its neuroscience services, will install a CyberKnife in the latter half of 2011. Dr. George Bovis, because of his well-recognized expertise and experience with radiosurgical technologies, will be one of the leaders of the new CyberKnife program.   Dr. Bovis recognizes that some neurosurgical conditions, namely those impacting the spine, cannot be treated with the Gamma Knife technology. He is thrilled to add the CyberKnife technology to his non-invasive treatment armamentarium.

CyberKnife was the first radiosurgical system cleared by the FDA for use throughout the body. It has been used for over 10 years (?) to treat thousands of patients throughout the world. CyberKnife can be used on tumors in the head as well as the spine. In addition, many centers utilize the technology to treat tumors of the lungs, pancreas, and prostate, for example.

The CyberKnife utilizes dynamic imaging and computer-controlled robotics to deliver highly precise doses of radiation. Like the Gamma Knife, it allows physicians to deliver lethal doses of radiation to the tumor or other lesion and at the same time spare surrounding tissues and vital structures. Because the CyberKnife is used to treat tumors outside of the brain, it continually tracks and corrects for patient and tumor movement throughout treatment.

Unlike the Gamma Knife which uses a head frame, the CyberKnife system is a frameless system, whereby patients wear a soft mesh face mask and lie on a foam body cradle to limit motion. Because of the CyberKnife’s ability to constantly re-image the body, small body movements are recognized and the CyberKnife’s highly sophisticated robotics recalibrate the focal point of the radiation beams.

Dr. Bovis welcomes the opportunity to discuss with patients and referring physicians the pros and cons of each technology for a variety of neurosurgical conditions. To schedule an appointment, or reach Dr. Bovis, please call 847-698-1088 or email him at info@GeorgeBovisMD.com