Pittsburgh, September 20, 2007 -- L. Dade Lunsford, MD, director of the department's Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, was the honored guest at the annual gathering of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons held recently in San Diego, CA, September 15-20.

Dr. Lunsford presented six special lectures at the conference and was feted at a black tie dinner at San Diego's historic Coronado hotel, attended by over 150 friends, colleagues, trainees, residents, fellows, and international guests from around the world.

CNS is a leading international neurosurgical organization with a mission to promote public welfare through the advancement of neurosurgery, commitment to excellence in education, and dedication to research and scientific knowledge.

Dr. Lunsford -- the Lars Leksell Professor of Neurosurgery -- has achieved international acclaim as an expert in stereotactic surgery. Through his leadership, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1987 became the first hospital in the United States to utilize the Gamma Knife, a device for performing brain surgery without an incision. The institution now has three such devices and has established itself as a world leader in Gamma Knife treatment and education. More than 8,000 patients have undergone Gamma Knife brain surgery at UPMC since 1987.

Dr. Lunsford has authored more than 400 articles and almost 200 book chapters and has served as editor or co-editor of six books. He has lectured locally, nationally and internationally during his career.

He was recently named "Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh" -- the highest honor the university can accord a faculty member as it marks extraordinary, internationally-recognized scholarly attainment.