Gamma Knife^® offers painless alternative to open surgery

A safe and painless alternative to open surgery for patients with certain brain disorders is available at UAB Highlands, just south of the UAB Medical Center District.

The Gamma Knife^® at UAB Highlands makes it possible to do neurosurgery without an incision. It uses extremely focused cobalt radiation beams that are so precise they treat just the targeted lesion without affecting the surrounding brain tissue. Most patients need only one session and can go home the same day.

The Gamma Knife can be used for conditions such as arteriovenous and some other vascular malformations, benign and malignant brain tumors and other functional brain disorders. A team of specialists—including a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist and a radiation physicist—will determine when and if Gamma Knife radiosurgery is the best treatment option.

UAB is the only facility in the state with a Gamma Knife treatment center, and UAB specialists have used the technology to treat more than 2,500 patients.

The Gamma Knife technology is just one of the advanced medical treatments available at UAB Hospital and UAB Highlands, located at 1201 11th Ave. South. UAB Highlands is an acute-care facility with physicians on staff covering a full range of general, medical and surgical specialties, all in a convenient neighborhood setting. To learn more about Gamma Knife radiosurgery, visit us online at uabhealth.org/gamma. To make an appointment, please call UAB HealthFinder at (205) 934-9999 or 1-800-UAB-8816.