Image Acquisition:

Using no incision, the Cyberknife is out-patient therapy. After the patient’s evaluation by both the Neurosurgeon and the Radiation Oncologist the patient undergoing Cyberknife therapy is specially fitted with an open mask (for intracranial therapy) or a molded back support (for spinal therapy).

Both a high resolution MRI and CT are done. The MRI defines the targeted lesion (tumor, arteriovenous malformation, trigeminal nerve) and the high resolution CT defines the surrounding bone landmarks that the Cyberknife will constantly use during the therapy session. Because of Cyberknife’s precision to within a fraction of a millimeter, treating physicians will sometimes also employ spinal or intracranial enhancement by the use of a dye delivered by spinal puncture. For tumors that are not in the brain, tiny gold markers called fiducials can be implanted in or near the tumor for further Cyberknife guidance.