STEREOTACTIC Meaning and
Definition
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Stereotactic, which originated from the Greek roots "stereos" meaning "solid" or "three-dimensional" and "taktikos" meaning "of tactics or arranging," is an adjective used to describe a highly precise medical procedure, technique, or system that involves the precise localization and targeting of structures within the body based on three-dimensional coordinates.
In medicine, stereotactic procedures are employed primarily in neurosurgery and radiation therapy. In neurosurgery, a stereotactic procedure involves the use of a three-dimensional frame or device fitted to the patient's head to precisely localize and target specific areas within the brain for biopsy, ablation, electrode placement, or injection of therapeutic substances. This technique allows surgeons to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues, thereby reducing the risk and maximizing the effectiveness of the intervention.
In radiation therapy, stereotactic techniques employ advanced imaging technologies, such as CT scans or MRIs, to create intricate 3D maps of tumor locations. These maps are then used to deliver precisely controlled high doses of radiation to the tumor while minimizing the exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Stereotactic radiation therapy is particularly valuable in treating small tumors located in sensitive or hard-to-reach areas, such as the brain or spinal cord.
Overall, the term "stereotactic" denotes a highly precise and finely targeted approach to medical procedures, aiming to maximize efficacy, minimize invasiveness, and improve patient outcomes.
Etymology of STEREOTACTIC
The word "stereotactic" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "stereos" meaning "solid" or "three-dimensional", and "taktikos" meaning "tactical" or "arrangement". Therefore, its literal translation would be "arrangement in three dimensions". The term was first introduced by British neurosurgeon Sir Victor Horsley in 1908 to describe a surgical technique for accurate targeting of brain structures using a three-dimensional coordinate system. Since then, the term "stereotactic" has been widely used in medical and scientific fields to describe procedures and devices that involve precise localization and targeting in three-dimensional space.
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