Name of the Procedure:

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (Particle Beam, Gamma Ray, or Linear Accelerator); 1 Spinal Lesion

Summary

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses targeted radiation to treat a single spinal lesion. Despite its name, it does not involve actual surgery but rather uses highly focused radiation beams to destroy abnormal tissue.

Purpose

The procedure is designed to treat spinal lesions such as tumors or metastases. The goal is to eliminate or reduce the size of the lesion while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.

Indications

• Spinal tumors or metastases that are inoperable or poorly accessible surgically
• Patients who cannot undergo traditional surgery due to health risks
• Conditions that require precise targeting to minimize damage to surrounding tissues

Preparation

• Patients may be advised to fast for several hours before the procedure.
• Certain medications may need to be adjusted or stopped as instructed by the healthcare provider.
• Pre-procedure imaging (e.g., MRI, CT scans) is typically required to map out the lesion.

Procedure Description

1. The patient lies on a treatment table.
2. Imaging devices (e.g., MRI, CT) are used to precisely locate the spinal lesion.
3. A specialized computer system plans the exact dose and coordinates of the radiation beams.
4. The radiation beams (either from a particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator) are then directed at the spinal lesion from various angles.
5. The entire process is monitored to ensure accuracy.

Duration

The procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the complexity of the case.

Setting

Stereotactic radiosurgery is typically performed in a hospital or a specialized outpatient clinic equipped with the necessary advanced imaging and radiation technology.

Personnel

• Radiation oncologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Medical physicists
• Radiologic technologists
• Nurses

Risks and Complications

• Fatigue
• Skin reactions (similar to sunburn) over the treated area
• Swelling or inflammation of the spinal cord
• Rarely, damage to surrounding tissues leading to neurological deficits

Benefits

• Non-invasive treatment with no incision or physical surgery
• High precision minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue
• Short recovery time
• Effective in treating inoperable spinal lesions

Recovery

• Patients can usually go home the same day.
• Some may experience mild side effects such as fatigue or localized skin changes.
• Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor the treatment's success and manage any potential side effects.
• Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days.

Alternatives

• Traditional surgical resection
• Conventional radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy (depending on the type of lesion)
• Each alternative has its pros and cons related to invasiveness, recovery time, and effectiveness.

Patient Experience

• Patients generally do not feel pain during the procedure, although lying still for an extended period might be uncomfortable.
• Post-procedure discomfort is minimal.
• The healthcare team will provide comfort measures and pain management as needed.