Gamma Knife for Occipital Lobe Cavernoma

[Amy]

My brother had a grand mal seizure recently and was diagnosed with a cavernoma in his occipital lobe horn. Doctors have told him this location is too deep for microsurgery. He was referred to a gamma knife expert who recommended this procedure for him.

It appears most people do not see gamma knife as a great option. Has anyone had experience with a cavernoma in this location? Can anyone who has gone the gamma knife route say how their experience went?

We are looking into getting info from ASU too so hopefully that will give us some additional guidance as well.

Thank you for any help!

[Elizabeth]

Welcome,

Very sweet of you to try to research for your brother. Are you in the us? Typically here, gamma knife is not recommended for us as it doesn't tend to have good results. It is more common in Europe. I have not heard of occipital lobe as being "inaccessible" very often. He might want to consult with a doctor at one of our "centers for excellence ". You will find knowledgeable doctors and good care there. I don't see how gamma knife could be helpful aside from possibly, maybe slowing down or stopping future bleeds, but with seizures already...it would seem they would want to take out the angioma and see if they could get out any of the old blood without too much trouble.