Microdialysis is a minimally invasive method which enables continuous monitoring of parameters in the extracellular space of various tissues. It has been investigated in animal models for over a decade, and many publications have provided insight into its advantages and disadvantages. However, in spite of its enormous potential for revealing metabolic processes in normal and pathological tissue, microdialysis in humans is still in its infancy. Clinical neurointensive medicine nowadays demands much more than conventional monitoring methods. As already shown by jugular bulb measurements of...

In 1992 the Editors published the first volume of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery (MIN I) which described the current state of the art in this rapidly developing field of neurosurgery and reported first clinical experiences with these new technologies. The subject of MIN II is limited to endoscopic anatomy, technical devices and surgical management of disorders suitable for endoscopic procedures. The indications and approaches in different diseases are still highly preliminary and longterm results are not yet available. The clinical value and the benefit to the patients treated with these new...

Severe, protracted pain defying control is being seen with in creasing frequency as a symptom of chronic disease. It accompanies many, mostly serious, disorders in various organs and parts of the human body, making the sufferer's life increasingly intolerable. It no longer fulfillR its mission of warning signal of disease present, protecting health, but on the contrary arises as an important factor in systematically reducing and preparing the final collapse of the defensive forces of the body, both in the somatic and psychic spheres. It can surprise nobody that patients tormented and plagued...

has further broadened controversial though this subject and indeed the results of amygdaloidotomy may be. lt was Jinnai in 1963 who first published his work on the control of intractable epilepsy by interruption of conduction pathways of the epileptic discharge using stereotactic lesions in the field of Forel. This was followed by lesions in the thalamus by Mullen in 1967, and by capsular lesions by Bertrand in 1970 and myself in 1971. In the macroscopic form this was carried out by section of the inter- hemispheric cerebral connections by open operation by Vogel in 1969. This has been an...

Lesions of the brain stem and related disorders of autonomous regulation systems have been the "Leitmotiv" of the scientific work in the Neurosurgical Department of the Giessen University under the leadership of the late Professor Hans Werner Pia. Some of the results have already been published in supplement volumes of Acta Neurochirurgica. The first one of these was Vol. 4 with the monograph written by H. W. Pia on "Die Schadigungen des Hirnstammes bei den raumfordernden Prozessen des Gehirns". Vol. 19 deals with central disorders of temperature regulation, written by G. Lausberg, followed...

The Leitmotiv of the Second Convention of the Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica was "Cerebrum convalescit" - literally "the brain recovers". The focus of the meeting was on plasticity of the central nervous system, one of the most decisive factors in recovery and readaption after cerebral lesions. Distinguished experts from the fields of neurosurgery, neurology, neurophysiology, anatomy, pathology, oncology, and pharmacology discussed the following topics: - Molecular and cellular basis of plasticity - Regeneration and growth in the CNS - Self-organization of neuronal network - Brain oedema...

The human personality is inextricably bound up with, among other things, the function of the central nervous system. Diseases and malfunctions of the brain, head injuries and neurosurgical operations can all result in permanently altered behaviour patterns. This interrelation between brain and behaviour is most clearly demonstrated in cases involving functional neurosurgery and severe traumatic lesions. Despite the fact that this interrelation represents an everyday challenge to the neurosurgeon, it is a question which receives less attention than it deserves in neurosurgical meetings. Given...

The Third Advanced Seminar in Neurosurgical Research was held in the Palazzo Pisani Moretta, Venice, Italy from 30th April to 1st May, 1987 and was devoted to "Neuroendocrinological Aspects of Neurosurgery". The general aim of these advanced seminars is to bring together European Neurosurgeons interested or involved in research work, either clinically, experimentally or both, in a given field in order to achieve in-depth informal discussions not possible in the more conventional large congress. In particular, these advanced seminars seek to provide high level teaching by experienced basic...

During the last decade a multitude of studies concerning the dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), and intracranial pressure (ICP) in the acute phase after head injury have been published. These studies have been supplemented with studies of cerebral autoregulation, CO2 reactivity and barbiturate reactivity. Other investigations include studies of cerebrospinal fluid pH, bicarbonate, lactate and pyruvate. In this book experimental and clinical studies of the dynamic changes in CBF, CMRO2, CO2 reactivity and barbiturate reactivity are...