Gamma knife (GK) thalamotomy was used in cases of pain with Parkinson disease and other central pains.”A clinical success rate of approximately 80% with negligible complications” was achieved.
Prog Neurol Surg. 2009;22:170-81.
Treatment of functional disorders with gamma knife thalamotomy. Ohye C, Shibazaki T.
abstract
The gamma knife (like a penetrating xray “ray”) is changing the landscape of neurosurgery – no longer do they have to do surgery for acoustic neuromas or Trigeminal neuralgias – they could just gamma knife it. The wavelength is beyond xray and it penetrates well. Parkinsonism is a painful condition and central and spinal pains are the worst. The thalamus is the relay station for chronic pain; they cut 45% of the thalamus length.
First article of 2009! The closest gamma knife is Winnipeg link here.
Addendum:
Nov 22, 2008 – Talked with Dr. Anthony Kaufman, Neurosurgeon, and co-director of Centre for Gamma Knife Surgery, Winnipeg – One of the biggest such centres in Canada. He feels the documentation on thalamotomy is limited and no one is doing it in this country. Guess that leaves Japan for anyone interested…