The History of the Gamma Knife

Chapter 1: Background knowledge in the early days

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Clinical Neurology
• 3 Investigations
• 4 Operating Theater Limitations
• 5 Introduction of Specialized Clinical Neurosciences Departments
• 6 Conclusion

Chapter 2: Some physics from 550 BC to AD 1948

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Before Accelerators
• 3 The Need for New Instruments
• 4 A Digression
• 5 Units

Chapter 3: Medical physics - particle accelerators - the beginning

• Abstract
• 1 The Age of Particle Accelerators
• 2 The Advent of the Cyclotron
• 3 Ernest Orlando Lawrence (1901–1958): An Outline
• 4 John Hundale Lawrence (1903–1991): An Outline
• 5 Artificial Radiation
• 6 First Cyclotron-related Patient Treatment
• 7 Principles of Early Medical Applications of the Cyclotron: Neutrons
• 8 Principles of Early Medical Applications of the Cyclotron: Protons

Chapter 4: From particle accelerator to radiosurgery

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Required Physical Characteristics
• 3 Indications
• 4 Design Characteristics of a Particle Beam for Radiosurgery
• 5 Practical Early Medical Applications of the Cyclotron: Physical and Animal Experiments
• 6 Practical Early Medical Applications of the Cyclotron: Crossover Technique

Chapter 5: Stereotactic and radiosurgery concepts in sweden

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Lars Leksell
• 3 Three-Dimensional Reference System Common to Imaging, Treatment Planning, and Treatment
• 4 The First Paper on Radiosurgery
• 5 The First Radiosurgery Cases

Chapter 6: Stereotactic and radiosurgery research in sweden

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Börje Larsson (1933–1998)
• 3 Uppsala Research
• 4 Summary

Chapter 7: The journey from proton to gamma knife

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 How Could Proton Beams Be Replaced?
• 3 Larsson and Lidén Principles
• 4 Gamma Knife Preparation
• 5 Sophiahemmet

Chapter 8: The earliest gamma unit patients

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 A Little About Scandinavian Culture
• 3 The Early Patients
• 4 Names

Chapter 9: Stockholm radiosurgery developing 1968–1982

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Early Limitations of Imaging and Dose Planning
• 3 The Introduction of Computerized Imaging
• 4 Gamma Unit Number 2
• 5 Status with Specific Diseases

Chapter 10: From stockholm to pittsburgh

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Need for a Gamma Knife Manufacturer
• 3 Hernan Bunge from Buenos Aires and David Forster from Sheffield
• 4 Elekta, Scanditronix, and Investment
• 5 The First Gamma Knife in the United States

Chapter 11: Changing times and early debates

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 AVMs
• 3 Pituitary Region Tumors
• 4 Meningiomas
• 5 Metastases
• 6 Vestibular Schwannomas

Chapter 12: The development of dose planning

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Imaging Modalities
• 3 KULA
• 4 GammaPlan

Chapter 13: Changing the gamma knife

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Changing the Helmets
• 3 The B Model
• 4 Introducing the APS: The C Model
• 5 Plugging
• 6 Perfexion

Chapter 14: Conclusion and possible future trends

• Abstract
• 1 Final Thoughts
• 2 Quo Vadis?
• 3 Principles
• 4 Avoidance of Controversy
• 5 Concluding Remarks