As in any multiauthored textbook penned by When I was first approached by the publisher of this volume, Martinus Nijhoff, Boston, I writers of diverse backgrounds and interests, explored the possibility of writing a personal Modern Stereotactic Neurosurgery to some monograph on contemporary stereotactic extent suffers from incompleteness. Future surgery. After a review of available literature, volumes no doubt will include many additions several aspects became apparent. First, no cur­ from other authors who also are important rent, readily accessible, multiauthored text de­ specialists in the field. Because not all authors signed to survey the field was available. Those write in the same style (or even language), we books that were available tended to heavily have attempted to achieve a more cohesive text emphasize theory, physiology, and anatomy. in the editorial process. Each chapter has been Second, stereotactic surgeons were considered subdivided into pertinent headings for easier abstruse and for too long were relegated to a reference. Because of my own background, status outside of the mainstream of neuro­ some readers will note an Americanization (as surgery. This attitude probably reflected the opposed to anglicization) of the chapters. insufficient explanation of the practical uses While many chapters comprise primarily sum­ and advantages of stereotactic technique. maries of the authors' work within the field, Third, in recent years, the field has expanded each author was encouraged to review the liter­ so rapidly that it has become a major compo­ ature in that discipline if appropriate.