Leksell Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Lars Leksell’s conception of stereotactic radiosurgery and the invention of the Gamma Knife as a means to realize his idea was the result of his integration of a many parallel developments in neurosurgery and radiology. Throughout its history, Gamma Knife radiosurgery has continued to evolve in order to take advantage of new imaging modalities, improving computer and hardware technology, and advances in our understanding of high-dose radiobiology. This chapter summarizes the technique of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) from both a historical and technical point of view, new advances and in the process tries to show how integration of new developments promises a prominent role for GKSRS in the future.