Future Possibilities

Abstract

The published literature on stereotactics taken over the last five years has brought an impressive amount of new data on localization techniques in general and in stereotactic space in particular. Decennia ago, stereotactics comprised of almost only functional surgery, and localization depended completely on radiographic methods. At the moment there is an almost exponential increase in interest for stereotactics. This is merely due to the availability of various sophisticated computerized imaging techniques, such as CT, MR, and PET scanning. It is obvious, that in the following years after a true integration of stereotactics in clinical neurosurgery has taken place, new developments will be reported. It should be emphasized that almost all publications on computerized scanning in stereotactic space rely on high resolution CT scanning, while reports on the validity of MR (Figs. 215 and 216) and PET scanning in various disorders are still awaited.