Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Radiosurgery

A radiological stereotactic technique developed for cutting or destroying tissue by high doses of radiation in place of surgical incisions. It was originally developed for neurosurgery on structures in the brain and its use gradually spread to radiation surgery on extracranial structures as well. The usual rigid needles or probes of stereotactic surgery are replaced with beams of ionizing radiation directed toward a target so as to achieve local tissue destruction.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A radiological stereotactic technique developed for cutting or destroying tissue by high doses of radiation in place of surgical incisions. It was originally developed for neurosurgery on structures in the brain and its use gradually spread to radiation surgery on extracranial structures as well. The usual rigid needles or probes of stereotactic surgery are replaced with beams of ionizing radiation directed toward a target so as to achieve local tissue destruction.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

25 entry terms
  • CyberKnife Radiosurgery
  • Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
  • LINAC Radiosurgery
  • Linear Accelerator Radiosurgery
  • Radiosurgery, Gamma Knife
  • Radiosurgery, Linear Accelerator
  • Radiosurgery, Stereotactic
  • Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
  • Stereotactic Radiation
  • Stereotactic Radiation Therapy
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery
  • CyberKnife Radiosurgeries
  • Gamma Knife Radiosurgeries
  • LINAC Radiosurgeries
  • Linear Accelerator Radiosurgeries
  • Radiation Therapy, Stereotactic
  • Radiation, Stereotactic
  • Radiosurgery, CyberKnife
  • Radiosurgery, LINAC
  • Radiotherapy, Stereotactic Body
  • Stereotactic Body Radiotherapies
  • Stereotactic Radiation Therapies
  • Stereotactic Radiations
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgeries
  • Therapy, Stereotactic Radiation

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

17 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, classification, economics, education, ethics, history, instrumentation, legislation & jurisprudence, methods, mortality, nursing, psychology, rehabilitation, standards, statistics & numerical data, trends, veterinary.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with COMBINED MODALITY THERAPY using surgery + radiotherapy; coordinate with disease /radiother; gamma knife, CyberKnife & linear accelerator: index RADIOSURGERY /instrum & do not coordinate with GAMMA RAYS or PARTICLE ACCELERATORS unless particularly discussed

MeSH Record

History Note

92

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Stereotaxic Techniques (1971-1991)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. E02w.815w.530w
  2. E04w.525.800.650w
  3. E05.873.500w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Radiosurgery. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D016634. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D016634
  2. Radiosurgery. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiosurgery
  3. Radiosurgery. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q973234