History of lesioning for pain

The history of open and subsequently stereotactic brain lesions for the relief of pain is traced. Important steps included recognition of the importance of the non-specific pain pathways and the differential effects of lesioning on nociceptive pain and on different elements of neuropathic pain. Although the advent of morphine infusion and deep brain stimulation has greatly eroded the number of destructive lesions made, new technical and conceptual advances must be carefully evaluated.