Stereotactic procedures for molecular neurosurgery

Stereotactic methods combined with modern computing power and imaging data bases provide powerful options for molecular neurosurgery. Point-in-space and volumetric computer-assisted imaging-based tumor stereotactic procedures, whose original application for neuroablative treatment of movement disorders and for the biopsy, interstitial irradiation, and resection of brain tumors, can easily be modified for the preplanned and precise delivery of genetic agents to an imaging-defined anatomical target volume. These techniques would provide more uniform coverage and dose levels of the therapeutic material within the defined target structure.