Leksell Gamma Knife coordinate setting slippage: how often, how much?

Object: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and magnitude of coordinate setting slippage during gamma knife surgery (GKS).

Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients undergoing GKS with a Leksell unit between June and December 2000 had their coordinates (right and left x-, y-, and z-coordinates; 1548 coordinates; 258 isocenters) and gamma angles checked after the delivery of treatment to each isocenter to determine whether the coordinate settings had slipped and, if so, which settings and the magnitude of the slippage.

Conclusions: Coordinate setting slippage during GKS with a Leksell unit does occur but is rare. The magnitude of such slippage is typically within the error of the stereotactic system and coordinate reading. The authors noted that coordinate setting slippage is significantly correlated with patient weight.