Posted by Nancy on March 31, 1999 at 13:23:09:
I sent away about Gamma Knife (GK) treatment for cluster headaches and they sent me 6 pgs of very detailed stuff about 6 cases they did in 1997.
If I had a scanner (I don't) I'd send the whole thing so I will try to pass on very limited info.
GK is a non-invasive type treatment used for different kinds of problems since the 60's, I think. They use radiation. It's new in the last 5 yrs for Trigemianl Neuralgia and Clusters. Very good luck with both.
You go in one day and can go home the same day.
Here is part of what they said:
4 men & 2 women were treated for refractory cluster headache by gamma knife radiosurgery of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone. The max dose of radiation was 70 GY to the isocenter. Of five treated who had refractory chronic clusters, 4 had relief judged excellent. Of the 2 remaining with refractory chronic clusters, one had relief judged good and the other fair. 5 of the 6 treated had relief with a few days to a wk following GK radiosurgery. 3 with chronic had remissions allowing ceasation of all preventive and abortive meds. Although one experienced complete relief of chronic clusters, he continued to have migraines requiring med. None of the patients treated developed significant postradiation side effects during a follow-up period of 8 to 14 months. The authors conclude that GK radisosurgery of the Trigeminal nerve affords great promise in the management of chronic and refractory cluster headaches. The technique seemingly carries negligible short-and long- term risk.
What was sent me was a reprint from the Headache Journal, Vol 38, Number 1, Jan 98.
There are many GK center around the country. I knew of someone with the GK center in San Diego and asked her to send me info. I wished I really had a scanner but I don't.