Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital Introduces Advanced Gamma Knife 'Esprit,' Strengthening Its Ultra-Precise Radiosurgery Capabilities

【Financial News Hwasun = Hwang Tae-jong, reporter】 Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital has introduced the advanced Gamma Knife model 'Esprit.'
 'Esprit' is an advanced device that treats lesions by focusing gamma rays emitted from multiple directions, without opening the skull or using a surgical knife. It enables precise treatment plans tailored to the location and shape of a lesion, while minimizing the radiation dose delivered to surrounding healthy brain tissue.
 “In the era of precision medicine, it is important to accurately target and treat lesions while minimizing complications,” said Lee Wan-sik, president of Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital. “With the introduction of advanced equipment, we have created an even better treatment environment, and will provide patients with more precise radiosurgery,” he emphasized.
 According to Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital on the 2nd, since opening its Gamma Knife Center in 2004, it has devoted itself for more than 20 years to stereotactic radiosurgery and research for various neurological disorders, including brain tumors. It reached 500 cases in 2007, 2,000 in 2012, 3,000 in 2015 and 4,000 in 2018. The cumulative total surpassed 5,000 cases in December 2021, and the hospital had recorded a total of 6,787 treatments as of October this year.
 The introduction of 'Esprit' is seen as having strengthened the hospital's capabilities in precision radiosurgery for a range of neurological disorders, including brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal neuralgia, tremors and Parkinson's disease.
 'Esprit' supports not only the existing head-fixation frame method but also a mask fitted to the shape of the face. Because it does not use fixation pins in the skull, the head can be secured noninvasively. The mask is also easy to put on and remove, helping reduce the burden on patients.
 In addition, imaging taken before treatment is used to check the location of the lesion and the patient's head position. During treatment, a real-time motion-detection system continuously monitors head movement. If movement exceeds the preset range, radiation delivery is automatically paused, supporting more precise and safer treatment.
 Meanwhile, the Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Center at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital held the '20th 2026 Hwasun Brain Tumor Surgery Symposium (Hwasun CNS Tumor Surgery Symposium)' on October 23 at Future Hall on the first floor of the Future Medical Innovation Center, marking the introduction of the Gamma Knife 'Esprit.'
 The symposium consisted of four sessions and covered the technology and clinical applications of the Gamma Knife 'Esprit,' the principles of radiosurgery and imaging techniques, brain metastases and recurrent gliomas, acoustic neuromas, recurrent meningiomas, and functional neurological disorders. Experts in neurosurgery and radiosurgery from across South Korea shared their latest treatment experience and research findings across a range of diseases, and discussed directions for advancing precision radiosurgery.

[email protected] Hwang Tae-jong Reporter