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The application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging to a stereotactic method is described. The physical properties of NMR offer some important advantages such as good contrast between grey and white matter and the possibility to scan the brain in three planes and at any desired angle. Stereotactic localisation by NMR gives very satisfactory and precise visualisation of the target structures based on transaxial, coronal and sagittal scans. With the technique described stereotactic localisation is performed by the surgeon directly in the operating room.

The development and scope of stereotactic radiosurgery is described. The technique, which combines well with the latest diagnostic methods, has already proved a safe and effective way of treating inaccessible cerebral lesions and in particular small arteriovenous malformations, acoustic neuroma and the solid component of craniopharyngioma, as well as playing an increasingly useful role in the therapy of pituitary adenoma.

The ability to visualise stereotactic brain lesions produced by irradiation from the stereotactic Gamma Unit at the Karolinska Hospital was investigated. A patient who had undergone bilateral stereotactic gamma capsulotomy in two stages was examined by the nuclear magnetic resonance imaging technique, which demonstrated that the stereotactic lesions in the internal capsule could be visualised in the immediate postoperative period. This gives stereotactic radiosurgery a reliable anatomical basis and facilitates the planning and follow-up studies in this type of cerebral surgery.