Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship

The Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery fellowship provides an intensive surgical experience in all areas of functional neurosurgery, in collaboration with associated disciplines (e.g. neurology, anaesthesia). In addition, opportunities are available for further training in clinical and translational research. Fellows will be trained in movement disorders surgery, pain surgery, as well as proficient in the consideration of stereotactic and functional principles for new indications.

Learning Objectives

Stereotactic Surgery

  • The fellow will develop an understanding of the principles of stereotactic surgery – including patient space, image space, and frame space.
  • The fellow will understand the principles of stereotactic targeting across different software platforms and stereotactic systems.
  • The fellow will understand the use of stereotactic atlases in the determination of functional neurosurgical targets.
  • At our centre, fellows will learn the intricacies of the Leksell stereotactic system, the Medtronic Stealth Software, and other tools for stereotactic targeting (e.g. Renishaw Neuromate).

Movement Disorders

  • The fellow will develop and understand the physiology of the basal ganglia as it applies to movement disorders, and understand the current concepts in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia.
  • The fellow will learn to determine candidacy for the various neurosurgical procedures used for the treatment of movement disorders, including: Parkinson’s disease; essential tremor; tremor associated with multiple sclerosis, head injury and stroke; the various dystonia syndromes; hemifacial spasm.
  • The fellow will understand the applications of deep brain stimulation applied to the Vim thalamus, subthalamus, and the globus pallidus.

Chronic Pain

  • The fellow will learn how to obtain a pain history.
  • The fellow will understand the current classification of pain conditions.
  • The fellow will understand the selection criteria of patients for the various procedures for the treatment of chronic pain, including: spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, motor cortex stimulation, and ablative procedures.
  • The fellow will learn the techniques relevant to the application of the above procedures and will understand the risks, benefits, and indications for the procedures.
  • The fellow will learn the principles of stimulator programming and troubleshooting.
  • The fellow will understand the cranial pain syndromes relevant to neurosurgical practice and know the indications for surgery, including: procedures for trigeminal neuralgia (percutaneous techniques, peripheral nerve techniques, microvascular decompression); stimulation of the various peripheral nerves of the head (occipital nerve, supraorbital nerve, infraorbital nerve); deep brain stimulation; motor cortex stimulation; and ablative procedures.
Candidates with interest in epilepsy surgery would apply through a separate application process although there remains the possibility of combining a fellowship in both over two years.

Selection Criteria

Application review and interview requirement.

Application Deadlines

June 30th - 12 months before anticipated start date.

Application Process

To apply for this fellowship, interested applicants should send the following documents to the Fellowship Director:

  • A current CV
  • Copy of medical degree (with English translation if applicable)
  • Copy of specialty certification (with English translation if applicable)
  • Three letters of reference
  • Proof of citizenship (copy of passport or birth certificate)

*If you are a sponsored international fellow, your sponsor must submit your application on your behalf directly to the PGME Office.

For more information about applying to CNS Fellowships click here.