Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a procedure used to treat arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) which is a tangle of blood vessels in the brain. SRS also is used to treat primary and metastatic brain cancer and inoperable tumors or areas of the brain.

SRS uses a high dose of radiation focused precisely on the AVM, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue such as the brain stem, nerves and eyes, and critical brain structures. It is a one-day, single dose, outpatient procedure requiring only local anesthesia for placement of a head frame.

Recovery time with SRS is quick and may be used in addition, or as an alternative, to Gamma Knife. It may also be used in combination with other radiation methods including whole brain radiation.

Patients should tell their physician if they are claustrophobic.