The Gamma Knife uses 192 focused beams of radiation to destroy tumors in the head and neck that were formerly considered inoperable.

State-of-the-art technology brings new hope to Valley brain tumor patients

Fresno, CA – A major milestone in Valley health care has been marked with the delivery of Saint Agnes Medical Center’s new $4.5 million Gamma Knife, Monday, December 10.

With the addition of this stereotactic radiosurgery system, Saint Agnes joins the ranks of top neuroscience institutions nationwide, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and UCSF Medical Center.

Contrary to its name, Gamma Knife does not use a knife at all. There are no scalpels involved and no incisions made. Instead, 192 highly focused beams of radiation – delivered in a single high-dose – converge on the specific area where the tumor or abnormality resides.

Considered the “gold standard” in radiosurgery, Gamma Knife is the most precise and effective non-invasive treatment today for brain tumors and other abnormalities in the brain and upper neck that were previously considered inaccessible or inoperable. Saint Agnes is one of only 200 institutions worldwide using Gamma Knife, and is among a select handful using the newest and most precise version – the Perfexion.

Weighing more than 25 tons, the Gamma Knife had to be lifted off the truck by a crane when it was delivered to Saint Agnes on December 10, 2007.

On par with this world-class technology is Neurosurgeon Michael Dogali, MD, nationally renowned for his radiosurgery expertise, and one of the most experienced physicians in the country for the use of Gamma Knife.

Dr. Dogali, who joined Saint Agnes last year as Medical Director of Neurosciences, is heading the expansion of the hospital’s neurological and neurosurgery program – part of a larger vision to create a leading Neuroscience Institute that will serve patients throughout Central California.

Dr. Dogali has held academic positions at several universities including Yale and New York University. He served as professor and chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at University of California, Irvine, and professor of Neurosurgery at University of Southern California. He was also voted by his peers in the Castle and Connelly Guide as one of America’s best doctors.

“Gamma Knife brings new hope to Valley brain tumor patients who, until now, had very limited treatment options available to them locally,” says Michael Dogali, MD. “This technology puts Valley health care on the map and that’s something our community can take great pride in.”

For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr. Michael Dogali, please call Kelley Sanchez, (559) 450-2085 or (559) 779-6015.