The problems of surgical intervention in and about the diencephalic region have stimu- lated the interest of neurosurgeons throughout the world. It was therefore not totally surprising when Professor A. N. Konovalov proposed this topic for discussion at the Fifth Annual Stonwin Medical Conference. Bringing the leading figures in this area to New York for a roundtable conference was an exciting challenge. Professor Russel H. Patterson, Jr., generously consented to be our guest of honor. The conference was held at the Winston Estate on July 13-14, 1987, and met our every expectation for a...