As in any multiauthored textbook penned by When I was first approached by the publisher of this volume, Martinus Nijhoff, Boston, I writers of diverse backgrounds and interests, explored the possibility of writing a personal Modern Stereotactic Neurosurgery to some monograph on contemporary stereotactic extent suffers from incompleteness. Future surgery. After a review of available literature, volumes no doubt will include many additions several aspects became apparent. First, no cur from other authors who also are important rent, readily accessible, multiauthored text de specialists in the field. Because not all authors signed to survey the field was available. Those write in the same style (or even language), we books that were available tended to heavily have attempted to achieve a more cohesive text emphasize theory, physiology, and anatomy. in the editorial process. Each chapter has been Second, stereotactic surgeons were considered subdivided into pertinent headings for easier abstruse and for too long were relegated to a reference. Because of my own background, status outside of the mainstream of neuro some readers will note an Americanization (as surgery. This attitude probably reflected the opposed to anglicization) of the chapters. insufficient explanation of the practical uses While many chapters comprise primarily sum and advantages of stereotactic technique. maries of the authors' work within the field, Third, in recent years, the field has expanded each author was encouraged to review the liter so rapidly that it has become a major compo ature in that discipline if appropriate.

This volume offers a comprehensive discussion of the stereotactic frames, frameless systems, and radiosurgical procedures utilized in the treatment and control of movement and neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, spasticity, tumours, epilepsy, and arteriovenous malformations.

This book covers stereotactic principles as well as functional stereotaxis, covering the history and uses of the techniques, treatments for specific conditions, and future developments. Includes a DVD demonstrating surgical procedures.

These proceedings from the Xth Congress of the European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery in Stockholm reflect the growing interest in these fields of neurosurgery. It is the most extensive volume in this series of publications and it contains a large number of original articles pertaining to the most recent advances in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. Not long ago stereotactic neurosurgery was considered an esoteric sub speciality practised only by those involved in treating movement disorders and pain. In the last decade we have witnessed the incorporation of stereotactic methodology in the management of common neurosurgical diseases, and the stereotactic technique is now practised in all major neurosurgical centers. As with other surgical techniques and tools, however, the utilization of stereotactic methods requires special knowledge and training. This book comprises articles which give insight into new stereotactic applications and technology. For example, the usage of stereotaxis without a frame and the so-called navigator systems in open tumor surgery is dealt with in two papers. The introduction and development of radiosurgery is closely linked to the advancement of stereotactic technique. Radiosurgical treatment of tumors and cerebrovascular diseases has been one of major achievements in modern neurosurgery. This publication contains several original reports illustrating the efficacy of radiosurgery in problematic neurosurgical diseases.

The book gives the most up-to-date information for the expanding field of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery from European and international experts. The newest developments in neural transplantation and stereotactic irradiation are included together with the reports on extensive trials of analgesic surgery and new techniques used in the treatment of a variety of functional disorders.

Neurosurgery o/the Future: Computers and Robots in Clinical Neurosurgical Practice and in Training - a Philosophical Journey into the Future Many present day neurosurgeons believe that they already obtain good results in operative surgery with the benefit of the operating microscope and other aids which have become available in the last three decades and that the introduction of computers and robots to the operating theatre is superfluous. However, it is clear from analogy with the function of the airline pilot, another profession where there are great demands on manual skill and on spatial awareness, that these devices do have much to offer neurosurgery. Classical neurosurgery, in the time of Cushing, Dandy and Scarff, was based on a three dimensional picture of the patient's brain formed in the surgeon's mind and often illustrated in elegant drawings. Such pictures were based on neuroradiological studies by pneumoencephalography, ventriculography or by angiography. Generally these stud ies showed the presence and position of a lesion by displacement of normal brain structures and the picture was built up by interference. This was then converted by the experienced neurosurgeon into a plan for the craniotomy site and the trajectory of the surgical approach. Once the brain was exposed further pre-operative information was obtained by visual inspection and by palpation with the brain needle. These classical forms ofneuroradiology have largely been superseded by computerised tomography and by magnetic resonance imaging.

Three topics of major interest for neursurgeons are covered in this volume of the Advances in Neurosurgery series, as the title suggests. First, neurosurgical standards of diagnosis and treatment are viewed from several points of view, including the legal one. Second, the many aspects of aneurysm surgery are dealt with: timing and grading, monitoring during the operation, postoperative vasospasm, Doppler sonography and new research in subarachnoid hemorrhage. Third, the diagnosis and treatment of malignant gliomas are discussed; there are preliminary reports on interstitial laser-assisted thermal therapy, immunotherapy and radiopharmaceutical substances as well as the standard forms of neurosurgical and radiation treatment.

During the last few years stereotactic radiosurgery has become a partner of equal rank within the discipline of neurosurgery. Today it is regarded as being of the same importance as microsurgery and endovascular neurosurgery, branches which have also progressed rapidly in recent years. Breakthrough success, however, requires a combined effort of all partners involved. The editors have brought together leading experts in the fields of neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, neuropathology, neuroanatomy, radiation oncology, and biophysics to discuss indications and therapeutic strategies in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations and intracranial tumors and to find a common basis for their future work.

Many recent developments in neuro-oncology relevant to clinical practice have contributed to improved patient care. The most im portant impact of these developments on treatment may have been a change in the attitudes of the neuro-oncologists involved in making decisions regarding patients with gliomas. From an era of uncertainty which led to therapeutic nihilism, we have entered one of active interventions based on objective parameters for the treat ment of gliomas, which may be either slow-growing or rapid kil lers. The histopathological characteristics of gliomatous lesions are intriguing, and it is only recently that a clearer picture has begun to emerge. A group of dedicated neuropathologists has been at tempting to reach a consensus on pathological classification and grading, providing an important landmark in the field of neuro oncology. This book does not mean to provide exhaustive details on the histopathology of gliomas, but rather highlights the main problems in an authoritative chapter. This chapter attempts to guide the reader to a better understanding of all aspects of the neuropathology of glioma. Neuroradiology has recently seen several breakthroughs. Im ages unimaginable a decade ago are now providing us with an al most three-dimensional impression. But the concomitant illusions and artifacts must also be kept in mind, and pragmatic ideas are carefully put forward in this book about the developing body of knowledge concerning the newer imaging techniques.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is a comprehensive guide for the practicing physician and medical physicist in the management of complex intracranial and extracranial disease. It is a state-of-the-science book presenting the scientific principles, clinical background and procedures, treatment planning, and treatment delivery of SRS and SBRT for the treatment of tumors throughout the body. This unique textbook is enhanced with supplemental video tutorials inclusive to the resource. Beginning with an overview of SRS and SBRT, Part I contains insightful coverage on topics such as the evolving radiobiological principles that govern treatment, imaging, the treatment planning process, technologies and equipment used, as well as focused chapters on quality assurance, quality management, and patient safety. Part II contains the clinical application of SRS and SBRT for tumors throughout the body including those in the brain, head and neck, lung, pancreas, adrenal glands, liver, prostate, cervix, spine, and in oligometastatic disease. Each clinical chapter includes an introduction to the disease site, followed by a thorough review of all indications and exclusion criteria, in addition to the important considerations for patient selection, treatment planning and delivery, and outcome evaluation. These chapters conclude with a detailed and site-specific dose constraints table for critical structures and their suggested dose limits. International experts on the science and clinical applications of these treatments have joined together to assemble this must-have book for clinicians, physicists, and other radiation therapy practitioners. It provides a team-based approach to SRS and SBRT coupled with case-based video tutorials in disease management, making this a unique companion for the busy radiosurgical team. Key Features: Highlights the principles of radiobiology and radiation physics underlying SRS and SBRT Presents and discusses the expected patient outcomes for each indicated disease site and condition including a detailed analysis of Quality of Life (QOL) and Survival Includes information about technologies used for the treatment of SRS and SBRT Richly illustrated with over 110 color images of the equipment, process flow diagrams and procedures, treatment planning techniques and dose distributions 7 high-quality videos reviewing anatomy, staging, treatment simulation and planning, contouring, and management pearls Dose constraint tables at the end of each clinical chapter listing critical structures and their appropriate dose limits Includes access to the fully-searchable downloadable eBook