stereotactic radiosurgery
Pronunciation: stair-ee-oh-TAK-tik ray-dee-oh-SUR-jer-ee
Also written as: SRS — stereotactic radiosurgery
Precise, non-invasive radiation therapy technique delivering focused beams to specific brain targets.
Full Definition
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive treatment modality that delivers precisely focused radiation beams to specific intracranial targets while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Despite its name, no actual surgical incision is made. The procedure uses sophisticated imaging and computer guidance systems to achieve sub-millimeter accuracy. Common applications include treatment of brain metastases, arteriovenous malformations, and certain benign tumors. Popular systems include Gamma Knife and CyberKnife platforms.
Usage
Usage note: Often confused with stereotactic biopsy, which is an invasive diagnostic procedure.
In Context
- "The patient underwent stereotactic radiosurgery for a small acoustic neuroma." — treatment planning note
- "Follow-up MRI showed excellent tumor control following stereotactic radiosurgery." — oncology follow-up