Stereotactic and radiosurgery research in Sweden

Abstract

This chapter starts with some comments upon the man who after Leksell was most instrumental in developing the Gamma Knife, the physicist Börje Larsson. Radiobiology experiments were carried out on rabbits and goats to determine and quantify the effects of focused fine beam radiation on the brain. The aim was to destroy the normal brain with a view to treating functional disease in the brain using focused radiation. The results in a few early patients are mentioned. The reasons for dissatisfaction with proton radiosurgery are presented.

Keywords: Börje Larsson; radiobiology experiments on the brain; radiosurgery of human brain; weaknesses of proton radiosurgery.