title: Minimal invasive procedures in neurosurgery.
abstract: Ever since surgery was introduced for the treatment of neurological diseases, miniaturized approaches have been considered and developed in order to limit trauma of vital and delicate structures of the central nervous system. Thus, the application of stereotactic techniques and endoscopy date back to the beginning of this century. Stereotactic neurosurgery started with the goal of reaching target areas in the brain through a burrhole and then to guide (by the aid of landmarks on the bony skull and its radiographic image) small instruments such as needles and biopsy forceps. Moreover, ventriculograms with contrast material were used as guides to calculate coordinates for a 3-dimensional guiding-system within the brain. Coordinates for the brain's interior structures had to be taken from a theoretical average human brain as shown in a stereotactic brain atlas.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical School, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Auer