Gamma Knife
History

The Leksell Gamma Knife was developed by Professor Lars Leksell of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden together with biophysicist Professor Borje Larsson of the Gustaf Werner Institute, University of Uppsala. Since the first official Gamma Knife was installed in 1988, well over 120,000 procedures have been performed using the technology built on Leksell's research to benefit Cancer patients around the world.

Professor Leksell recognized the need for a tool to allow for treatment of deep-seated intracranial structures, without opening of the skull and the hazards of open surgery. He was convinced that agents other than cannulas or electrodes could be used to eradicate pathologies or to create therapeutic lesions in functional disorders.

In 1951, externally applied X-rays were substituted for the instruments used in the open stereotactic procedures. By coupling a source of radiation with a stereotactic guiding device, the first radiosurgical procedure was thus performed. Leksell found that by administering a single dose of radiation, it was possible to successfully destroy deep brain structures. He called this technique "stereotactic radiosurgery".

The first stereotactic Gamma Knife using cobalt-60 sources was constructed and installed in Stockholm in 1968. That unit was primarily intended for use in functional brain surgery for the section of deep fiber tracts, as in the treatment of intractable pain and movement disorders.

As sophisticated neuro-imaging (computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography) evolved, Leksell realized the potential of the Gamma Knife in the treatment of neoplastic and vascular disorders.