Surgical Neurology International Stereotactic (SNI Stereotactic) is the first open access journal dedicated to stereotactic surgery. It is a “spin off” of SNI. The success of SNI hinges on rapid and free spread of the neurosurgery progress. Stereotactic surgery is the most suited of neurosurgery's subspecialties for informatics. The need for mathematical precision to reach specific areas of the brain with minimal disruption of its structure led to the inception of stereotactic surgery. The penetration of stereotaxis in medicine followed the evolution of computation and imaging. It was born with ventriculography for functional neurosurgery. Angiography initiated the morphologic stereotactic surgery, and finally computers made image-guided volumetric resections possible.

Stereotactic surgery is fast progressing, paced by informatics and the rapidly growing understanding of brain function. This has been led by functional imaging, either blood flow dependent through functional MRI or through isotope/molecular imaging, PET, and SPECT. Computing of all this information for surgery planning and execution brings the ultimate security for surgeons at work and their patients. Stereotacticians provided this integration for general neurosurgery and surgery at large. Although these general technical developments in stereotaxis rapidly became common place in neurosurgery, the challenge for stereotactic surgeons continues, not only as a support for the treatment of morphological abnormalities but also in creating therapies for a multitude of malfunctioning and degenerative diseases of the brain, hereto not in the realm of neurosurgery.

Stereotactic surgeons used to work initially on mapping and modifying the brain function through mere disruption of the brain pathways and nuclei with metal loops, caustic injections, and extreme cold or heat. Now elegant methods are available, allowing minimal and reversible invasion of the brain. Electrical stimulation can modify perception of pain and correct movement disorders and behavior abnormalities. It has paved the way either for non-reversible therapies such as radiosurgery and high-frequency ultrasound (HIFU) or for reversible ones such as low-frequency ultrasound (LOFU) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The brain structure has been also respected using peripheral nerve stimulation as port to the brain for treatment of epilepsy, pain, depression, and other disorders. These exciting techniques are building the future of functional neurosurgery and stereotactic treatments for structural diseases of the central nervous system, such as vascular abnormalities and tumors. Brain repair with delivery of stem cells, growth factors, viral vectors, and the ever-growing biologics and nano-devices promises a curious and bright future for stereotactic surgery.

SNI Stereotactic was started to update professionals of this burgeoning specialty, with an initial year of relevant review articles depicting the multidisciplinary nature of stereotactic surgery. We expect four supplements to SNI during this inauguration year. They will be followed by open submissions of scientific articles in the years to come. SNIS will promote editorials, peer review opinions, and stereotactic controversies, and encourage clinical and translational research articles, bringing bench findings to clinical practice. A strong Editorial Board is being established with worldwide representation of young leaders in neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, radiation oncology, radiology, medical physics, bioengineering, and basic scientists. It is expected that this open access journal will bring the world of stereotaxis together based on free easy access to knowledge and the communication power of the Ethernet, making SNIS available in all corners of the world.

This inaugural issue reviews the techniques and pitfalls of stereotactic surgery, radiosurgery and its effects in the central nervous and peripheral nervous system, neuromodulation central and through peripheral ports, ethics and novelties of behavioral surgery, and futuristic views of the field. The following issues will feature image guidance, peripheral stimulation, imaging, recording, and close feedback loops for neurointerfaces. The financial burden of such an endeavor has to be borne either by the authors or by the readers. Obviously this would limit the readership and authorship to the wealthier. Organization of a journal indiscriminately available to all is a work that has to be properly supported to preserve its quality and readability. Industry sponsorship becomes necessary and is welcome. This inaugural issue was generously supported by an Elekta donation. We expect that the industry at large follows Elekta's example of taking pivotal creative and educational role in neurosurgery. Physicians and scientists dedicated to stereotaxis expect that those profiting from our work pitch in for the dissemination of good science, and their own products. Larger the pool of industry participants, less commercial bias will exist. We are actively seeking further support of the industry to make SNIS successful and decrease the burden on those writing and working to develop novel stereotactic therapies.

Publication of this manuscript has been made possible by an educational grant from ELEKTA