The skin in numbed with local anesthetic. Inserting the screws may cause mild discomfort for a short time. It takes about 20 minutes to put the head ring in place. Patients will spend a short time in a recovery room and are then taken to Diagnostic Radiology for a special planning CT scan. After the CT scan is complete, patients are taken to a room to wait while their treatment is planned by a radiation oncologist, physicist and neurosurgeon.
Treatment planning is a long process.
Depending on the complexity, it can take several hours to complete. During this time, patients may eat, watch television, listen to music, read, play cards and do other activities. Once the treatment plan is complete, patients are taken to the Radiation Oncology treatment area and helped onto a treatment table. The head ring is secured to the treatment table to immobilize the patient's head. Several measurements are taken during the process to ensure accuracy, and adjustments are made as needed.