Main description:

As an addition to the European postgraduate training system for young neurosurgeons we began to publish in 1974 this series devoted to Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery which was later sponsored by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. 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 we 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 publication of any volume. is not intended to compete with the publications of original Our series 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 post graduate training. However, we are convinced that it will also be useful to experienced, fully trained neurosurgeons.

Contents:

A. Advances.- Prostaglandins, Thromboxane, Leukotrienes and the Cerebral Circulation in Health and Disease..- The Biochemistry of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- Metabolism of Eicosanoids.- Basic Physiology of Eicosanoid Synthesis and Secretion.- What Determines the Nature of the Eicosanoids Produced by Individual Cells?.- Pharmacological Inhibitors of Arachidonic Acid Release and Metabolism.- Inhibition of Phospholipase Activity.- Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase.- Inhibition of Lipoxygenase.- Inhibition of Thromboxane A2 and Prostacyclin Synthesis.- Use of Aspirin to Prevent Thrombosis.- Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxygen-Free Radicals, Lipid Peroxides, and Their Interaction with Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- Reactive Oxygen Intermediates and Oxygen-Free Radicals.- Lipid Peroxidation.- Effects of Oxygen-Free Radicals and Lipid Hydroperoxides on Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- Methodological Problems in the Analysis of Eicosanoid Production in Brain.- Analytical Problems.- Eicosanoids Present in vivo.- Cerebrovascular Synthesis of Eicosanoids.- Actions of Eicosanoids at a Cellular Level.- Actions of Prostanoids in Platelet Aggregation.- Mechanism of the Effects of Eicosanoids on Vascular Smooth Muscle.- Eicosanoids as Candidates for the "Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor".- Actions of Eicosanoids on Cerebral Arterial Contraction in vitro and in vivo.- Arterial Smooth Muscle Receptors for Eicosanoids.- Cerebral Blood Flow-a Role for Endogenous Prostacyclin?.- Effects of Prostaglandins and Prostacyclin on Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism.- Acute Cerebral Ischaemia: Background.- Global Cerebral Ischaemia.- Regional (Incomplete) Ischaemia.- Microembolism.- Miscellaneous Models.- Cerebral Oedema.- Cerebral Vasospasm.- Acknowledgements.- References.- B. Technical Standards.- Selective Amygdalo-Hlppocampectomy. Operative Anatomy and Surgical Technique..- 1. Introduction.- 2. Operative Technique.- Craniotomy.- Dural Opening.- Opening the Arachnoid.- Opening the Sylvian Fissure.- Inspection and Mobilization of the Middle Cerebral Artery and Its Branches.- Cortical Incision, Opening the Temporal Horn, Removal of Amygdala.- Opening the Pia.- Removal of the Hippocampus.- Problems.- References.- Transoral Approach for Epidural Craniocervical Pathological Processes.- Anatomy.- 1. Soft Palate.- 2. Pharynx.- 3. Atlas.- 4. Odontoid Process.- 5. Muscular Structures.- Surgical Pathology and Indications for Transoral Surgery.- 1. Developmental Anomalies.- 2. Traumatic Conditions.- 3. Inflammatory Processes.- a) Rheumatoid Arthritis.- b) Tuberculosis.- 4. Tumours.- a) Osteoma.- b) Chondroma and Osteochondroma.- c) Giant-Cell Tumour (Osteoclastoma).- d) Osteoblastoma.- e) Chordoma.- f) Eosinophilic Granuloma.- g) Extramedullary Tumours of the Foramen Magnum.- h) Metastases.- 5. Vascular Processes.- Clinical Features.- Neuroradiological Investigations.- 1. Radiography and X-Ray Tomography.- 2. Gas or Water Soluble Contrast Myelography.- 3. Computerized Tomography and Myelography.- 4. Magnetic Resonance (MR) Scan.- 5. Vertebral Angiography.- 6. Arthrography.- Surgical Procedure.- Summary of Cases.- Case Reports.- Case No. 11.- Case No. 12.- Case No. 10.- Case No. 3.- Summary.- References.- Author Index.