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Gamma Knife Training Program

The UT Southwestern Gamma Knife Training Program, geared toward radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-otologists and medical physicists, provides a comprehensive understanding of the Gamma Knife for both new users and experienced individuals upgrading to the Gamma Knife Icon.

The new user course is designed for individuals new to the Gamma Knife system who desire to develop a radiosurgery program. Our upgrade course is for experienced users aiming to learn the frameless capabilities of the Gamma Knife Icon.

The course will be offered as a hybrid course with both in-person and virtual attendee options beginning in September 2021. Virtual attendees will be able to attend the course via Zoom lectures and live streamed patient observations.

We offer two courses:

  • New user course: Four-day course for new Gamma Knife users.
  • Upgrade course: Three-day course for experienced Gamma Knife users upgrading to Icon.
Gamma Knife Icon
Gamma Knife Icon

Target Audience

  • Radiation oncologists
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Neuro-otologists
  • Medical physicists

Learning Objectives

  • Understand principles of frame-based and frameless Gamma Knife radiosurgery
  • Reviewing the radiosurgery indications, treatment parameters, and outcomes for benign and malignant intracranial disorders
  • Gain proficiency in:
    • Stereotactic frame application
    • GammaPlan treatment planning software 
    • Icon-specific training with mask-based simulation and treatment
    • Physics of Gamma Knife radiosurgery
  • Expansion of patient eligibility with mask-based workflow:
    • Fractionated radiosurgery
    • Distributed radiosurgery for brain metastases
    • Staged treatments for large AVMs and pediatric considerations for AVMs

Accreditation

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 24.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s) for the new user course and 18.50 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s) for the upgrade user course. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs designates this live activity for a maximum of 28.75 CAMPEP education credit(s) for the new user course and 23.50 CAMPEP education credit(s) for the upgrade user course. Medical physicists should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of participation in the activity.

Program Leadership

Directors:

Zabi Wardak, M.D., Radiation Oncology

Toral Patel, M.D., Neurosurgery

Strahinja Stojadinovic, Ph.D., Radiation Oncology

Program Advisor:

Robert Timmerman, M.D., Radiation Oncology

Disclaimer: This symposium has been planned to be well-balanced and objective in discussion of comparative treatment regimens and the symposium format allows for the free scientific exchange of ideas. Information and opinions offered by the speakers represent their viewpoints. Conclusions drawn by the audience should be derived from careful consideration of all available scientific information.

Register

If your institution has an active Elekta contract with available education credits to be utilized for this training course, there will be no fee assessed at this time. Our training coordinator will contact Elekta to confirm contract eligibility on your behalf before moving forward with registration.

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