SRS (X-Knife)

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) using the X-Knife system represents a groundbreaking advancement in non-invasive neurosurgical care. The term “radiosurgery” might be misleading, as it involves no scalpel or incisions. Instead, SRS utilizes precisely focused, high-energy beams of ionizing radiation to target tumors and lesions within the brain and spine with surgical accuracy—hence the term "X-Knife" (referring to the 'knife-like' precision of X-rays).

Developed in the late 1980s, X-Knife is based on a linear accelerator (LINAC) platform that uses sophisticated imaging guidance and immobilization technology to deliver intense radiation doses to well-defined targets while sparing adjacent normal tissues. It is particularly useful for treating tumors located in eloquent or surgically inaccessible regions of the central nervous system (CNS).

Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which involves multiple low-dose sessions over weeks, SRS delivers a single or a few high-dose treatments. This approach not only improves tumor control rates but also reduces treatment time and enhances patient comfort. It is an essential tool in the treatment of brain metastases, benign brain tumors, vascular malformations, and functional neurological disorders.

SRS using the X-Knife system is not a disease but a treatment strategy employed for various medical conditions, especially those involving the brain and spine. Understanding the underlying conditions that warrant this advanced therapy provides insight into its significance.

Origin from primary cancers like lung, breast, kidney, colorectal, and melanoma.

Metastatic lesions are often multiple and located in critical areas of the brain.

Vestibular Schwannomas (Acoustic Neuromas): Originating from the vestibular nerve, causing hearing loss and imbalance.

Meningiomas: Slow-growing tumors from the meninges, often found in the skull base.