Gamma Knife Performed by Dr. Steiner

One of the posters to the Acoustic Neuroma Foundation’s message board kindly granted our request to reprint these photos. They show the patient wearing headgear used for undergoing the Gamma Knife treatment of an acoustic neuroma.



The patient in the picture wrote in response to this post:

“I was diagnosed with an AN November 2003, (approx. 1.5 cm) and opted to wait. My recent MRI indicates a growth of about .5 cm (~2 cm now) and my neurosurgeon is encouraging me to do something about it. I told him that I was interested in Gamma Knife and with great trepidation he has indicated that although he is not in agreement with my choice, he would endorse it with OHIP. As I am relatively young (34 years old), with a young daughter (21 mos) and with a busy schedule (I work two jobs and am finishing my Master's Degree) I made the decision to go with GK. Of course, my neurosurgeon (Dr. K. Reddy) indicated that there is no long term results (past 10 years) on the effects of GK, he has me doubting my decision already. So question is, is there anyone here that has had GK, how did they find the results and did your age have bearing on your choice? On the other hand, if anyone has had any experiences with Dr. Reddy (and Dr. Robertson) I would invite your opinions as well. Thanks very much.”

The patient in the picture responded with:

“I'm 43 so I don't know if that fits your younger adult filter I had the Gamma Knife procedure done in November 2003 on a 1.8cm AN. The GK was my choice after much investigation, with the final decision based upon 1) a non surgical route which would allow me to get back to work quicker, 2)I hoped I would only have to deal with this once, and 3) I wanted the least complications. I am happy with my choice and would make the same decision again. I am part of the 35% whose tumors swell slightly after treatment (went from 1.8 - 2.0cm). Not much in the way of complications, hearing is the same, as well as word recognition. It is showing signs of darkening, and is finally holding at 2.0cm. Hopefully at my next MRI it will start to shrink. I am very active and still am after the GK. I had it at the University of Virginia with Dr. Steiner. Hope that helps. I attached a picture of me in my head frame with my fiancée.”
- July 1, 2005