Many of the risks of open surgery are eliminated with gamma knife radiosurgery, making the procedure particularly useful in patients with advanced age or in those patients with other illnesses where conventional surgery would pose an unacceptably high risk. Finally, the efficacy and cost effectiveness of the gamma knife treatment have been proven in numerous studies when comparing it to the alternative, namely open surgery. In addition, the gamma knife is being used as an investigational tool for certain forms of epilepsy and psychiatric disease . Patients referred to the Yale-New Haven Gamma Knife Center will be evaluated by a team of specialists with extensive experience, including neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and neuroradiologists. Candidates for the procedure are selected for treatment only after a thorough review of all prior records and imaging studies.
Consultation is also available for neurology, and the general medical and psychiatric community.
Clinical care , including neuropsychology consultations for inpatients and outpatients, is provided by the neuropsychology specialists and psychometrician staff. A broad range of clinical and professional services are available through the Neuropsychology Service, rounding out the comprehensive care of patients with neurological disorders. Existing evaluation programs have been enhanced and expanded, and are now available for patients of all ages from infancy through geriatrics. Treatment programs for patients with neurological injury or disease are also available. Since changes in cognitive functioning can have an impact on vocational, family, and personal functioning, a treatment program has been initiated.