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The Gamma
Knife was developed by
Professor Lars Leksell of
the Karolinska Institute in
Stockholm, Sweden, and
biophysicist Professor Borje
Larsson of the Gustaf Werner
Institute at the University
of Uppsala in Sweden. As
early as 1951, Leksell found
that a single dose of
radiation could destroy
almost any deep-brain
structure, without the risk
of bleeding or infection. He
called this technique
stereotactic radiosurgery
and defined it as the
delivery of a single, high
dose of radiation to a small
and critically located
target in the brain.
The procedure
was approved by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in
1987.
The first
Gamma Knife in the U.S. was
installed at the University
of Pittsburgh.
With advances in such
imaging technologies as
computerized tomography (CT
scan) and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), we now have
more uses for the Gamma
Knife technique than ever
before. It has become a
standard treatment for
common neurological
diseases. To date, nearly
300,000 patients have
received treatments from the
Gamma Knife with outstanding
success.
 Lars
Leksell - Gamma Knife
Founder
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