The Department of Neurological Surgery and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Science present a Gamma Knife® training course, "Principles and Practice of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery," targeted at neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and medical physicists interested in Gamma Knife radiosurgery education.

Through attendance at this Gamma Knife training program, registrants should obtain knowledge about the practical aspects of stereotactic radiosurgery using the Leksell Gamma Knife. Principles of radiation physics and radiobiology, as they apply to single-session, focused, small volume irradiation will be covered. Registrants should be able to create radiosurgery dose plans for brain tumors, vascular malformations and trigeminal neuralgia. At the close of the Gamma Knife training program, participants should be able to discuss those issues relevant to dose selection in individual patients and discuss the spectrum of complications after radiosurgery and their management.

The next course is scheduled for July 7-11, 2008.

Participation by all individuals is encouraged. Advance notification of any special needs will help us provide better service. Please notify us of your needs at least two weeks in advance of the program by calling (412) 881-0602.

This course is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences and the Department of Neurological Surgery’s Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery.

Topics
Course Directors/Faculty
Tuition and Registration
Accommodations
CME Credits
Future Course Dates

Topics

Historical View on Stereotaxy and Radiosurgery
Frame Overview: Stereotactic Applications
Stereotactic Targeting and MR Stereotactic Imaging
Functioning/Maintenance of the Different Gamma Knife Units
Vascular Malformation Case Review
Dose Planning
Basic Radiobiology
Brain Metastases & Gliomas
Acoustic Neuromas
Basic Radiation Physics Related to Leksell Gamma Knife
Introduction to APS
Dose Planning: Metastases and Acoustic Tumors
AVM Radiosurgery - Results/Dose Planning
Informed Consent
Hands on Training: Gamma Knife
Radiation Safety & Acceptance Testing
Quality Assurance fro Radiosurgery
Pituitary Tumors and AVMs
Patient Preparation and Pre-op Video tape teaching
Requirements of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Pediatric Anesthesia for Radiosurgery
Meningiomas - Results/Dose Planning
Pituitary Tumors and Skull Base Radiosurgery
Economics and Reimbursement (IRSA)
Dose Planning: Meningiomas/Other
Trigeminal Neuralgia, Functional Radiosurgery and Epilepsy
Cavernous Malformations

Course Directors

Dr. L. Dade Lunsford, MD
Lars Leksell Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Co-director, Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery
University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Douglas Kondziolka, MD, MSc, FRCS (C)
Peter J. Jannetta Professor of Neurological Surgery
Co-director, Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery
University of Pittsburgh

Dr. John C. Flickinger, MD
Professor of Radiation Oncology
University of Pittsburgh

• Guest Faculty

Rebecca L. Emerick, MS, MBA, CPA
Director, IRSA

Susan E. Lohman, RN, CNOR
Elekta Instruments, Inc.

Ajay Niranjan, MCh
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
University of Pittsburgh

J. Greenberg, MD
Assistant Professor of Anesthesia
University of Pittsburgh

• Nursing

Jonet Vacsulka, BSN

Michael Sheetz, MS, CHP
Senior Health Physicist, Radiation Safety

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education requirements on disclosure, information about relationships of presenters with commercial interests (if any) will be included in materials distributed at the time of the conference.

Tuition and Registration

Tuition for the course is $6,200 for each participant. As course enrollment is limited to 15 people, early registration is recommended. Please complete the Registration Form and return promptly to:

Charlene Baker
Department of Neurological Surgery
UPMC Presbyterian
Suite B-400
200 Lothrop Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
e-mail: bakerch@comcast.net
Phone: (412) 881-0602
Fax: (412) 881-2450

Registration will not be accepted without tuition payment. Please make tuition check payable to, “UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside,” including the name of participant and last five digits of the participant's social security number. For more information on tuition, please contact Charlene Baker at (412) 881-0602.

Please note: All cancellations must be received two weeks prior to start of course or tuition will be applied to a future training course.

A .pdf version of the program/registration form is available for download.

Accommodations

We have negotiated a special rate of $114.00/night for course participants at the Holiday Inn University Center. We will reserve a single room in your name upon receiving a registration form with arrival and departure dates. If you are bringing a companion or have a special rooming request, please let us know when registering. A single room will be reserved unless you specify that you are bringing a guest. An executive floor room can be arranged. The hotel is located within walking distance of the campus. Amenities include: an indoor pool, sauna, workout area and restaurant.

Holiday Inn University Center
100 Lytton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 682-6200
Toll-Free: (800) 864-8287
Fax: (412) 681-5714

CME Credits

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 49.5 AMA PRA Category I credit(s)™. Each physician should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals are awarded 4.95 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which are equal to 49.5 contact hours.

(Please note: The Center for Continuing Education and the Department of Neurological Surgery do not certify that, through participation in this program, participants are competent to perform certain procedures or skills.)

Future Course Dates

September 8-12, 2008
November 10-14, 2008