Gamma Knife radiosurgery brings hope to young Abby and her family
When five-year-old Abby Villagrán from Guatemala began grinding her teeth and experiencing frequent seizures, her parents, Allan and Rebeca, knew something was wrong. “She started behaving oddly, sometimes clapping her hands or making unusual gestures for no reason,” Allan recalls. Concerned, they took Abby to their local clinic, where a series of tests, including an MRI and an encephalogram, revealed a rare diagnosis: hypothalamic hamartoma.
A hypothalamic hamartoma is a benign growth deep in the brain’s hypothalamus, an area responsible for regulating vital functions like body temperature, emotions, and hormone production. While not cancerous, these growths can cause significant problems, especially in children. For Abby, it meant daily seizures, sometimes up to ten a day, and changes in mood and behavior that affected her development.
Initially, Abby was prescribed medication to control her seizures, but after two years, the episodes persisted. “We were desperate for a solution,” Allan says. That’s when the family learned about Gamma Knife radiosurgery, a non-invasive treatment offered at a specialized center in neighboring El Salvador that offered new hope.
“Technology and medicine have advanced so much that radiosurgery can now be performed even on young children,” Allan explains. “The team was very professional, and every step was explained to us. We felt reassured throughout the process.”
“I’ve seen a significant change in my little girl. She’s happier, more energetic, and able to enjoy her childhood again.”
The results were remarkable. Abby’s seizures dropped from as many as ten a day to just one or two. “I’ve seen a significant change in my little girl,” Allan says. “She’s happier, more energetic, and able to enjoy her childhood again.”
Dr. Eduardo Lovo, who led Abby’s treatment, explains why Gamma Knife is an ideal option for children with hypothalamic hamartoma. “Gamma Knife radiosurgery is especially effective for small or deeply located lesions where traditional surgery carries higher risks,” he says. “It delivers a precise dose of radiation with minimal exposure to surrounding tissue, crucial for young patients who have their whole lives ahead of them.”
The prognosis for children like Abby is encouraging. Studies show that radiosurgery can result in freedom from seizures and significant improvement in most cases, dramatically enhancing quality of life.
“We’re grateful for the care Abby received and for the technology that made her treatment possible.”
For the Villagrán family, Gamma Knife radiosurgery has been life changing. “We’re grateful for the care Abby received and for the technology that made her treatment possible,” Rebeca says. “We hope that radiosurgery will continue to develop and help more children like Abby in the future.”
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