Providence Hospital in Mobile, Ala., has begun treating patients once thought to have inoperable brain ailments with Varian Medical Systems' Trilogy stereotactic system. The advanced linear accelerator allows Providence physicians to perform non-invasive brain treatment without an incision, with minimal pain and oftentimes, with no hospitalization.
   
The Trilogy system combines image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), stereotactic treatment and conformal radiotherapy (CRT) in one system. The system delivers a wide range of precise treatments making it easier to treat difficult conditions including cancer and certain neurological conditions.
   
Trilogy can be used to deliver all forms of external beam radiotherapy, including 3D conformal (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), and image-guided radiosurgery (IGRS).  Clinicians at Providence Hospital plan to use the Trilogy stereotactic system primarily to treat brain cancer and functional disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia.
   
Providence Hospital worked closely with Coastal Neurological Institute, PC (CNI) to be among the first in the nation to deploy the new technology along the Gulf Coast.