Newport News, Virginia — July 17, 2024 — Riverside Health proudly announces the implementation of the cutting-edge Elekta Esprit technology in the Leksell Gamma Knife housed at the Riverside Radiosurgery Center in Newport News, Virginia. Marking the first health system in Virginia to adopt this advanced technology, this significant upgrade enhances the capabilities in radiosurgery, benefiting patients undergoing treatment for brain metastases from other cancers that are not treatable by other therapies.

"We are thrilled to be the first in Virginia to implement the Elekta Esprit technology," said Dr. William McAllister, Neurosurgeon with Riverside Neurological & Spine Specialists. "This enhancement highlights our commitment to advancing medical technology and enhancing patient outcomes. Our patients can now benefit from shorter treatment times and the ability to treat more complex cases, enhancing their overall experience and prognosis."

The Elekta Esprit upgrade brings the most sophisticated treatment planning for the radiosurgery team, including radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and neurosurgeons, ensuring timely and precise care. The Esprit’s renewed sources delivers precise treatments faster allowing patients to receive the same amount of radiation in half the time, reducing treatment durations and enhancing comfort. Additionally, the enhanced processing power supporting the Elekta Esprit technology has expanded the upper limit of treatable tumors. A decade ago, treating a patient with ten tumor spots in the brain was considered too complex; today, patients with a dozen tumor locations are being successfully treated, demonstrating the ability to tackle more complex cases with precision and confidence.

"The Elekta Esprit and the supporting technology allows us to push the boundaries of what is possible in treating brain tumors,” says Martin Richardson, Medical Physicist with Riverside. “With its increased precision and efficiency, we are able to offer hope to more patients, including those with multiple tumor sites, who previously might not have been considered candidates for radiosurgery."

The adoption of Elekta Esprit is a symbol of Riverside’s dedication to leading-edge technology and science in the field of neuroscience. Riverside was the first to implement Gamma Knife before it became the gold standard, and this latest upgrade continues that legacy of expertise and commitment to advancing technology for neuroscience.

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