Neurosurgical suite of the future. III

The neurosurgical suite of the future will continue to incorporate developing technologies so that lesion localization, surgical dissection, electrode placement, and cell/drug delivery will be optimized. In this article it was shown that MR technology can be placed into a neurosurgical operating room and used as a surgical adjunct in such a way that surgical, anesthetic, and nursing techniques are not [figure: see text] compromised. Essential to the success was the high magnetic field strength and system mobility. It is now hypothesized that MR technology, coupled to advances in molecular therapies, endovascular techniques, and transplantation, will continue to improve neurosurgical outcome not only for benign pathology but also malignant neoplastic and degenerative CNS disorders. Although these technologies are intriguing and ultimately will improve neurosurgical outcome, it is likely that for the foreseeable future, neurosurgery will continue to require sound clinical judgment and surgical dexterity.