The term “stereotaxis” denotes a minimally invasive surgical method. Using this technique, specially trained neurosurgeons can reach almost every part of the brain with a high degree of accuracy. The equipment required for carrying out these surgeries in Magdeburg was put in place in 2006 with the expansion and fitting out of a modern stereotactic operating theater.

Stereotactic neurosurgery is used as a routine procedure in the following areas:

• Biopsy: diagnosis of uncertain seats of disease within the brain through stereotactic tissue removal.
• Oncological stereotaxis: treatment of brain tumors through stereotactic implantation of suitable radiation sources (iodine-125 seeds) followed by focused high-dose radiation (brachytherapy).
• Functional stereotaxis: treatment of functional disorders of the brain (e.g. motor disorders in Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, dystonia or various forms of tremor through brain stimulation (DBS).