Pittsburgh, September 16, 2022 -- The Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery (CIGNS) at the University of Pittsburgh celebrated three important milestones at a dinner meeting held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh on September 15.
First, in line with our patient care mission, the center marked 35 years of patient care experience with the Gamma Knife. In August of 1987, UPMC installed the first Gamma Knife in the United States—and only the fifth Gamma Knife in the world. Since then, the center has cared for almost 18,000 patients with brain tumors, vascular malformations, movement disorders and facial pain.
Second, in line with our education mission, the center marked the completion of it's 154th teaching course—Principles and Practice of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery—that emphasizes the role, techniques and outcomes of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery. More than 2,500 surgeons, oncologists, residents and physicists—from around the world—have trained at our center over the last 30 years.
Finally, the center celebrated the transition of leadership from L. Dade Lunsford, MD, to Costas Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD, who will assume the directorship on October 1. Both Dr. Lunsford and center associate director Ajay Niranjan, MD, will continue to provide Gamma Knife patient care as Dr. Hadjipanayis joins our team, expanding surgical options and outcomes for patients with brain tumors. As an NIH-funded investigator, Dr. Hadjipanayis will also establish ties with our colleagues at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
The CIGNS team includes surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical physicists, assisted by a comprehensive and experienced team of nurses, physician assistants, medical researchers and administrative assistants. The CIGNS mission remains to provide safe, effective, innovative and efficient care for patients with the clinical conditions that will benefit from minimally invasive strategies, such as the Gamma Knife and other state of the art technologies.
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