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This guide was developed to help you and your family better
understand what to expect on the day of your stereotactic
radiosurgical procedure. The information contained in
this guide is generally applicable to most patients; every
case is slightly different and your doctor will discuss
with you the specific aspects of your procedure. If you
have any questions at any time, do not hesitate to ask
a member of the stereotactic radiosurgery team. General
Guidelines
Because you will be undergoing certain
radiology tests in the morning, it is important that
YOU DO NOT EAT ANYTHING AFTER
MIDNIGHT PRIOR TO THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE.
You may drink water after midnight.
You will be spending at least 4-6 hours
at the hospital on the day of your procedure, so be
sure to dress comfortably: loose clothing, comfortable
shoes, etc. You are welcome to have up to three people
stay with you while you are at the hospital, but please
note that it is required that you have someone drive
you home after the procedure.
To help pass the time, a variety of video
tapes will be available for viewing in a private waiting
area. You're invited to bring your own tapes if you
prefer. You may also watch TV in the public waiting
area. Books, magazines, knitting, etc., are also appropriate
to bring with you.
Lunch and snacks will be provided for
you and your family/friends. If you have any special
dietary needs or restrictions, be sure to let the staff
know when you arrive.
Step 1: Arriving
at the Hospital
You will arrive at the Radiation Oncology
division of UMDNJ-University Hospital at 7:45 am. The
Division has a private entrance located at 195 South
Orange Avenue. Enter the parking lot off of South Orange
Avenue and follow signs to the Radiation Oncology Division.
Patient parking is available immediately in front of
the entrance.
You will be greeted by a Nurse who will
be responsible for your care and comfort throughout
the day. He/she will bring you to the stereotactic radiosurgery
waiting area and give you a small dose of Valium, which
will relax you and help relieve any physical discomfort
you may have.
Step 2: Placement
of the Head Frame
Soon after your arrival, you will be taken
to another room to have the head frame placed by the
neurosurgeon. You will be given injections of local
anesthetic, two in the front of your head and two in
the back. The frame will be secured to pins inserted
in those spots. The entire procedure takes about 20
minutes.
There is some discomfort associated with
this procedure; the anesthetic will relieve most of
the pain, but you will still feel a sensation of pressure
as the procedure is completed. This discomfort is temporary
and you should be pain-free for the rest of the day.
Please notify a member of the stereotactic radiosurgery
team if you feel any discomfort after the placement
of the head frame.
Step 3: Pinpointing
the Coordinates
In order to precisely locate and mark
the portion of your brain that will be treated with
radiation, special x-rays of your head must be taken
while the frame is on. All patients will have a CT scan
and some will require an MRI scan or angiogram. Your
doctor will explain what is needed in your particular
case.
You will be brought to the hospital's
Imaging Center by wheelchair. The CT Scan will take
about 30 minutes to complete; MRIs generally take another
45 minutes, while angiographic procedures can take up
to two hours.
Step 4: Waiting
As soon as you are finished in the Imaging
Center, you will be brought back to the Stereotactic
Radiosurgery waiting area. Lunch for you and your family/friends
will be provided at that time.
On average, it will take the Stereotactic
Radiosurgery team two and one-half hours to develop
your treatment plan based upon the information received
from your x-rays. It could take longer, depending upon
the particular circumstances of your case. While you
are waiting, you may watch a video tape or TV, read,
etc. You may continue to use a wheelchair if you wish,
or you may walk with assistance from your family/friends.
Step 5: The Radiation
Treatment
As soon as the treatment plan has been
developed, you will be brought into the linear accelerator
room for the treatment. You will lay down on the accelerator
gurney, the head frame will be supported, and you will
be asked to remain as still as possible. The treatment
takes about 30 minutes.
When the treatment is completed, the head
frame will be removed. There is some slight discomfort
associated with the removal, but it will be much less
than what you experienced when the frame was first put
on. Small bandages will be applied to the pin insertion
sites (the small holes made by the pins will begin to
close almost immediately, leaving almost no trace.)
You may experience headache pain for a day or two after
the procedure. You may take Tylenol or a similar pain
reliever if you wish.
Step 6: Leaving
the Hospital
Immediately after the radiation treatment,
the clinical nurse specialist will talk with you for
a few minutes to make sure that you are feeling well
enough to leave. He will also call you at home within
24 hours to follow-up on your general condition and
to answer any questions you may have.
Your doctor's office will contact you
directly to set up an appointment for a follow-up visit.
Information about the results of the procedure and any
further treatment will be provided to you at that time.
DON'T HESITATE
TO ASK...
If you have any questions about the stereotactic
radiosurgery procedure, do not hesitate to ask any member
of the team, particularly the clinical nurse specialist.
We recognize that you and your family are anxious about
the treatment and your health and we want to do everything
we can to make you more comfortable and informed about
stereotactic radiosurgery. If you wish to speak with
the Nurse prior to your procedure, you may call (973)
972-5519.
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