Main description:

There are two important reasons for publishing this new series entitled "Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery": 1. the lack of anyor ganized common European postgraduate training system for young neurosurgeons and 2. the language barriers, which impede the exchange of neurosurgical findings in Europe more than in other parts of the world. The fact that the English language is well on the way to becoming the international medium at European scientific conferences is a great asset in terms of mutual understanding. Therefore the Editors have decided to publish all contributions in English, regardless of the native language of the authors. All contributions are submitted to the entire editorial board before publi cation of any volume. Our series is not intended to compete with the publications of original scientific papers in other neurosurgical journals. Our intention is, rather, to present fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent advances have been made. The contributions are written by specialists in the given fields and constitute the first part of each volume. In the second part of each volume, we publish detailed descriptions of standard operative procedures, furnished by experienced clinicians; in these articles the authors describe the techniques they employ and explain the advantages, difficulties and risks involved in the various procedures. This part is intended primarily to assist young neurosurgeons in their postgraduate train ing. However, we are convinced that it will also be useful to experienced, fully trained neurosurgeons.

Contents:

A. Advances.- Clinical Relevance of Cerebral Blood Flow Measurements.- I. Carotid Surgery and Other Forms of Surgical Intervention on Brain Arteries.- II. Focal Cortical Epilepsy.- III. Severe Brain Damage.- Discussion.- Conclusion.- References.- Extra-Cranial Surgery for Cerebrovascular Disease.- Development of Surgery for Strokes.- Mechanism of the TIA.- Aetiology of the Stroke Syndrome.- Clinical Features of the Stroke Syndrome.- Symptoms.- a) Carotid Disease.- b) Vertebro-Basilar Disease.- Physical Signs.- Investigation.- Natural History of the Atherosclerotic Lesion.- Selection of Patients for Surgery.- Surgical Treatment.- Anaesthesia.- Carotid Endarterectomy.- Aneurysms of the Extra-Cranial Carotid Artery.- Acute Carotid Injuries.- Vertebral Arteries and Aortic Arch.- Results.- Conclusion.- References.- Intrathecal Injection of a Neurolytic Solution for the Relief of Intractable Pain.- I. Introduction.- II. Subarachnoid Injection of Alcohol.- 1. Technique.- 2. Results.- 3. Complications.- III. Subarachnoid Injection of Phenol.- 1. Technique.- 2. Rationale of the Method.- 3. Clinical Results.- 4. Complications.- Meningeal Irritation.- Vascular Hypotension.- Sphincter Disturbances.- Paresis of the Extremities.- IV. Conclusion.- References.- B. Technical Standards.- Olfactory Groove and Suprasellar Meningiomas.- The Presenting Features of Meningiomas of the Olfactory Groove and Jugum Sphenoidale.- Clinical Examination.- Investigations.- Plain X-Ray.- EMI Scan.- Electro-Encephalography.- Gamma Scan.- Angiography.- Air Encephalography or Ventriculography.- Pre-Operative Management.- Anaesthesia.- Positioning the Patient.- Planning the Flap.- The Technique of Excision of Olfactory Groove Meningiomas.- Uncapping the Tumour.- Removal of the Centre of the Mass.- The Entering Blood Supply.- Definition of the Anterior Cerebral Circulation.- The Dissection of Optic Nerves and Chiasm.- Handling the Ethmoidal Vascular Supply and the Hyperostosis.- The Technique of Excision of Meningiomas of the Jugurn Sphenoidale.- Control of ICP.- Preliminary Orientation.- Gutting the Tumour.- Identification of the Chiasmal Anatomy.- The Treatment of the Dural Attachment.- Closure.- Closure of Bifrontal Craniotomy for Large Orbito-Frontal Meningiomas.- References.- Microsurgical Approach to Acoustic Neurinomas.- I. Introduction.- II. Microtechnique.- III. Surgical Anatomy of the Cerebellopontine Angle.- 1. Subarachnoid Cisterns.- a) Cerebellopontine Cistern.- b) Lateral Cerebellomedullary Cistern.- c) Prepontine Cistern.- d) Quadrigeminal Cistern.- e) Ambient Cistern.- 2. Relationship of the Tumor to the Cistern.- IV. Operative Technique.- 1. Position on the Operating Table.- 2. Positioning the Patient.- 3. Incision and Craniotomy.- 4. Opening of the Dura.- 5. Evaluation of the Tumor.- 6. Mobilization of the Tumor.- 7. Exploration of the Meatal Portion of the Tumor.- 8. Closure.- V. Results of Microsurgical Operations on Acoustic Neurinoma.- 1. Function of the Facial Nerve.- 2. Function of the Cochlear Nerve.- 3. Complications.- a) Hematoma.- b) Thrombosis of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery.- c) Infection.- d) Disturbances in Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation.- e) Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea.- f) Tinnitus.- VI. Bilateral Acoustic Neurinoma.- VII. Anesthesia.- VIII. Conclusion.- References.- Balloon Arterial Catheter Techniques in the Treatment of Arterial Intra-cranial Diseases.- Making the Latex Sleeve.- Making the Balloon.- Introducing the Catheters into the Carotid Artery.- Indications.- Treatment of a Carotid-Cavernous Fistula.- Final Release of the Balloon.- Conclusion.- Summary.- References.- Author Index.