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Warning-sign checks

Stereotactic radiosurgery - gamma knife: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for a seizure, sudden severe headache, fainting, new one-sided weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, sudden loss of vision, or trouble breathing.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your healthcare team urgently for worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, new confusion, increasing drowsiness, new balance problems, or a change in your usual neurological symptoms.

    Contact the team sooner if these effects are getting worse rather than improving.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Mild fatigue, a manageable headache, and tenderness at pin sites can often be discussed during routine follow-up.

The article also says

Call the treatment centre about persistent bleeding, spreading redness, swelling, pus, or fever after frame placement.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Stereotactic radiosurgery - gamma knife. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.