Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery
Trainee-focused references spanning the modern functional repertoire (neuromodulation, ablation, and focused ultrasound), with attention to the clinical reasoning behind candidate selection and the perioperative decisions that determine whether the right operation produces the right outcome.
Companion Library
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
References on SRS and SBRT, including radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia, thalamotomy for tremor, and the functional targets where a focused dose does the work of an electrode.
Deep Brain Stimulation & Movement Disorders
Planning the Core DBS Targets
STN, GPi, and Vim from starting coordinates to patient-specific anatomy.
Beyond the Box-and-Arrow: STN vs. GPi DBS
Rethinking the basal ganglia: network physiology and the levodopa paradox in DBS.
DBS Programming & Troubleshooting
A physiology-first framework for monopolar review, contact selection, adverse-effect localization, and rescue programming.
Dystonia: GPi DBS, Cervical Dystonia & Genotype
Phenotype and genotype-informed selection, target choice, delayed response, programming, and outcome counseling.
Stereotactic Foundations, Targeting & Technology
Stereotactic Targeting
Frames, robots, AC-PC coordinates, direct and indirect targeting, trajectory design, error budgets, and verification.
Thalamic Anatomy for Functional Neurosurgery
Nuclei, fiber systems, vascular territories, and the operative anatomy of Vim, ANT, CM, and adjacent targets.
Connectomics & Tractography for Target Selection
Diffusion tractography, normative connectomes, sweet spots, limitations, and a validation-minded targeting workflow.
Sensing & Adaptive Neuromodulation
BrainSense LFPs, adaptive DBS, responsive neurostimulation, and ECAP-based closed-loop spinal stimulation.
Hardware, IPGs & MRI Conditionality
System architecture, rechargeable and primary-cell IPGs, failure analysis, and a device-specific MRI safety workflow.
Outcome Instruments in Functional Neurosurgery
MDS-UPDRS, Y-BOCS, MADRS, TWSTRS, BNI, responder thresholds, clinically important change, and durable benefit.
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound
Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Essential Tremor
Incisionless Vim ablation: the skull density ratio, the sonication ladder, and outcomes versus DBS.
Focused Ultrasound for Parkinson Disease
Thalamus, pallidum, and the pallidothalamic tract: the targets, trials, and 2025 staged bilateral approval.
Focused Ultrasound: Emerging Indications & LIFU
Beyond ablation: blood-brain-barrier opening, low-intensity neuromodulation, and the non-thermal frontier.
Lesioning in the Modern Era
Radiofrequency, radiosurgery, and focused ultrasound as complementary tools for target selection and durable ablation.
Epilepsy Neuromodulation & Intracranial Mapping
Neuromodulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
VNS, ANT-DBS, RNS, off-label thalamic strategies, candidacy, trial evidence, and long-term expectations.
sEEG for Non-Epilepsy Mapping
Investigational causal circuit mapping for psychiatric disease and pain: hypotheses, coverage, consent, regulation, and endpoints.
Psychiatric Neurosurgery
Foundations & Circuit Targets
From historical lesioning to modern network models, targets, mechanisms, evidence standards, and ethical safeguards.
OCD & Treatment-Resistant Depression
Selection, targets, outcomes, adverse effects, and the distinct regulatory and evidentiary status of DBS and ablation.
Emerging & Investigational Indications
Tourette syndrome, addiction, eating disorders, PTSD, and aggression through a trial-design and evidence lens.
Patient Selection & Building a Program
Multidisciplinary governance, candidacy, consent, perioperative care, programming, outcomes, and long-term stewardship.
Ablative & Lesioning Procedures for Pain
Ablative Neurosurgery for Cancer Pain
Cordotomy, mesencephalotomy, midline myelotomy, and DREZ, matching the lesion to the level and type of pain.
Percutaneous Procedures for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Radiofrequency, balloon compression, and glycerol, chosen by trigeminal division and patient cooperation.
Atypical & Neuropathic Facial Pain
Peripheral trigeminal neuromodulation, nucleus caudalis DREZ, and motor cortex or deep brain stimulation.
Pain: Neuromodulation & Drug Delivery
Spinal Cord Stimulation: Evidence & Indication Review
A trainee framework for PDN, nonsurgical refractory back pain, neuropathy, central pain, trial selection, and safety.
The Anatomy of a Successful Trial
Spinal cord stimulation: phenotypes, red flags, and why the hardware is the easy part.
Intrathecal Drug Delivery
Targeted analgesia and intrathecal baclofen: the trial, implant technique, and the withdrawal emergency.
Spinal Cord Stimulation: Mechanisms of Action
Dorsal-column, segmental, supraspinal, and glial mechanisms across tonic, 10 kHz, burst, and ECAP-controlled closed-loop stimulation.
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation
Anatomy, patient selection, the ACCURATE trial, lead placement, programming, complications, and device scope.
Intracranial, Central & Deafferentation Pain
Perioperative & Safety References
Periprocedural Anticoagulation Reference
ASRA & NACC guidance for neuraxial neuromodulation: agent-by-agent hold and restart intervals in quick-reference table form.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis & Infection Management
Weight-based prophylaxis, intraoperative adjuncts, MRSA decolonization, and empiric therapy across SCS, DBS, RNS, pumps, and epilepsy surgery.