Gamma knife radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma.

In 1951, Dr. Lars Leksell from Sweden conceived of what is now known as gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Since Leksell first treated a patient who had a vestibular schwannoma in 1967, there has been a year-to-year increase in the number of patients treated with the gamma knife for vestibular schwannoma. This article outlines the technique of GKRS and discusses the current results of its use to treat vestibular schwannomas. Other topics discussed include tumor control, treatment of recurrent/residual and cystic vestibular schwannomas, and the results of treatment of neurofibromatosis type 2.