Stereotaxy: Specialists & treatment information

Stereotaxy is a highly precise procedure for the treatment of tumors, vascular malformations, movement disorders or chronic pain conditions. Stereotactic specialists are supported during the operation by a computer and by displaying the area to be treated on a screen.

Here you will find further information as well as selected specialists and centers for stereotactic treatments.

Recommended specialists

Article overview

Stereotaxis - Further information

Stereotaxy is a procedure from the field of radiotherapy and neurosurgery. It allows computer-assisted radiotherapy and operations to be carried out with the utmost precision. During stereotaxy, imaging techniques such as

are used. They localize the tissue to be treated precisely in three-dimensional space.

Stereotaxy is preferably used when there are tumors or vascular malformations in sensitive tissue. The precise application allows doctors to minimize the risk of injuring or damaging healthy tissue.

What are the different types of stereotactic procedures?

Stereotactic procedures are mainly used in the treatment of diseases of neuronal structures

are used.

Doctors distinguish between three different stereotactic procedures:

  • stereotactic neurosurgery,
  • stereotactic radiotherapy and
  • functional stereotaxy.

Stereotactic neurosurgery or stereotactic brain surgery: one of the most important procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of deep-seated tumors or vascular malformations in the brain. Here, sparing healthy nerve tissue is of the utmost importance. Using stereotactic neurosurgery, surgeons can remove the tumor as completely as possible and largely avoid unwanted neurological deficits.

Stereotactic radiotherapy or stereotactic radiotherapy: The procedure serves two purposes:

  • The stereotactic implantation of radiation sources (known as seeds) into a tumor,
  • the "cutting out" of a tumor by non-invasive radiation using a linear accelerator (so-called stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery).

Functional stereotaxy: Surgical procedure for the treatment of certain chronic pain and movement disorders. For this purpose

  • stimulation systems are implanted in the brain(deep brain stimulation, DBS) or spinal cord or
  • nerve structures are intentionally damaged (lesion).
Linearbeschleuniger zur Bestrahlung
Stereotaxy involves the use of a linear accelerator like the one shown here © VILevi | AdobeStock

    For which diseases is stereotaxy used?

    Stereotaxy is a particularly important procedure in oncology, i.e. cancer treatment. This is referred to as oncological stereotaxy.

    Most tumors are suitable for stereotactic radiotherapy. However, people with brain tumors in particular benefit from the precision of the treatment.

    Another area of application for stereotactic radiotherapy is vascular malformations, particularly in the brain.

    Functional stereotaxy for movement disorders treats diseases such as

    In addition, doctors at stereotactic clinics also treat

    which cannot be treated by other methods.

    How does stereotactic radiotherapy work?

    Stereotactic radiotherapy is carried out in the clinic using a radiation device known as a linear accelerator. It works more precisely than conventional devices used for the classic irradiation of tumors.

    Radiotherapy and stereotactic neurosurgery require millimeter precision. Therefore, the patient must not move. For this reason, the patient's head and the surgical instruments are fixed in a frame during stereotactic brain surgery. The patient is given a general or local anesthetic.

    During the procedure, the surgeon places the finest probes, electrodes or instruments through small openings in the skull at the precisely pre-calculated points in the brain.

    What side effects can be expected with stereotaxy?

    Compared to conventional methods, stereotaxy has few side effects. Like any X-ray examination, stereotactic treatment also involves exposure to radiation. However, it is low.

    Bleeding and inflammation may occur in rare cases.

    Which specialists and specialist clinics carry out stereotaxy?

    Specialists in stereotaxy are usually radiologists (radiotherapists) or neurosurgeons. They often work in an interdisciplinary team with specialists from other fields (e.g. oncologists, neurologists) at specialized clinics for stereotaxy.

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