Modern Methods in Neurosurgery

This 16th volume of Advances in Neurosurgery contains a selection of pa­ pers presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery, held in Munster on 3-6 May 1987. The program committee had to choose these contributions from a total of 161 presentations. I am very much obliged to the members of the committee who contributed their experience and effort to the organization of the scientific pro­ gram: Prof. Dr. R.A. Frowein, Prof. Dr. W.J. Bock, Prof. Dr. E. Kazner, Prof. Dr. G. Lausberg, Prof. Dr. M. Klinger, and Prof. Dr. M. Brandt. The aim of the Meeting was to exchange experiences regarding modern diagnostic and therapeutic achievements. The first main topic was new technical methods in neurosurgery. Refinements in laser technology were introduced; different laser devices have been recognized as use­ ful tools in microsurgery and some peripheral nerve problems. The Ca­ vitron ultrasonic aspirator has proven its value in a great variety of intracranial and spinal tumors within a few years. Its technical advance is impressively demonstrated by some of the papers in this book. With growing experience we have recognized the great value of these additional instruments in limited surgical fields and learned not to overestimate them in the hands of a skilled neurosurgeon.

Laser.- Eleven Years’ Experience with Lasers in Neurosurgery.- Current Research Projects in Laser Neurosurgery.- Modified Nd:YAG Laser Operations.- Evaluation of Intraoperative Application of Lasers and Cavitron in Neurosurgery.- The Development and Future of Microsurgical Tissue Welding with Low-Power CO2 Laser.- Regeneration of Peripheral Nerves Following Nd:YAG Laser Transection ― Experimental Observations.- Laser-Assisted Microanastomoses.- A Histological Evaluation of Experimental Nerve Anastomoses with the 1.32-?m Nd:YAG Laser.- Ultrasound.- Experiences with the Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator.- Surgical Ultrasonic Aspiration of Brain Tumors.- Ultrasound-Guided Neuroendoscopy.- The Microvascular Doppler ― An Intraoperative Tool for Aneurysm Surgery.- Applications of Transcranial Doppler Sonography in Neurosurgery.- New Aspects of Vasospasm Evaluated in 100 Patients with Aneurysm, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, and Acute Operation: A Transcranial Doppler Study.- Intraoperative Doppler Sonography During Surgery of the Cervical Spine.- Evoked Potentials.- Useful Parameters in Intraoperative Monitoring of Evoked Potentials.- Somatosensory Evoked Potentials of the Trigeminal Nerve Derived Pre- and Intraoperatively in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia, from the Point of View of Microvascular Decompression.- Reliable Electrophysiologic Localization of Levels in Cervical Radiculopathy?.- Experiences with the Intraoperative Single Unit Potential Recording of Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina Disorders.- Neurophysiological Investigations and ICP Monitoring: An Aid in the Treatment of Head Injury.- Brain Electrical Activity Mapping (BEAM) of Event-Related Potentials in Coma.- The 40-Hz Middle Latency Auditory Evoked Potential in Comatose Patients.- Interventional Neuroradiology for Neurosurgical Diseases.- Pain Treatment.- Stimulation of the Sympathetic Trunk Instead of Resection.- Long-Term Results of Facet Denervation.- Intraventricular Morphine Application by Means of Implanted Pump Systems in Paraneoplastic Pain Syndrome.- Intrathecal Administration of Baclofen for Treatment of Spasticity: Neurobiological Principles and First Clinical Results.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 0.35-T Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Central Nervous System: Clinical Review of 2909 Patients.- Comparison of CT and MRI, with and without Contrast Enhancement in the Detection of Brain Tumors.- Advantages of MRI in the Surgical Strategy for Brain Stem Tumors.- Tumors of the Skull Base and Posterior Fossa in Children ― Comparison of CT and MRI.- The Diagnostic Value of CT and MRI in Lesions of the Sella Turcica.- Imaging of Pituitary Tumors in CT and MRT: A Comparative Study.- RARE Hydrography as a New Diagnostic Tool with Special Respect to Its Value in Preoperative Examinations.- MRI Stereotaxy for Intracerebral Lesions.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosis and Operative Planning of Cerebrovascular Malformations.- Neuroradiological and Neuropathological Findings in Intracranial Cavernous Angiomas.- Clinical, CT, and MRI Findings in Spinal Space-Occupying Lesions.- Value of Magnetic Resonance Tomography in Diagnosing Intraspinal Space-Occupying Lesions.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Syringomyelia: Pre- and Postoperative Results.- Magnetic Resonance Tomography of Solid Spinal Cord Tumors with Extensive Secondary Syringomyelia.- Noninvasive Diagnosis of Lumbosacral Lesions with Special Reference to Magnetic Resonance Tomography.- MRI in Complications of Neurosurgical Spine Surgery.- Computer Tomography.- Brain Edema ― Tumor Quotient in Cranial Computer Tomography as a Preoperative Factor in Histological Prognosis.- Ergometric Achievement Tests in Young Hydrocephalus Patients.- New Research.- Biophysical Differences in Cells of Brain Tumors, Brain Edema, and Normal Glial Tissue.- Prostaglandin F2? and E2 as Possible Mediators of Peritumoral Brain Edema.- Interferon-Beta Therapy for Malignant Gliomas (Systemic and Intralesional Administration): First Results of an Ongoing Clinical Study.- Morphological Findings in Malignant Gliomas Before and After Interferon Therapy.- Electroretinographic Recordings After Intra-arterial Infusion of the Rabbit’s Retina with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosurea (BCNU) Suggesting Retinal Toxicity of BCNU.- Problems of Fibrin Adhesion to Nerves.- Neurosurgical Operations.- Meningioma of the Tentorium.- CSF Fistula Occlusion by Ethibloc: Clinical Experiences with 62 Surgically Treated Cases.- Tumor Growth of Recurrent Meningiomas.- Transpeduncular Stabilization with the Fixateur Interne in Cases of Spinal Instability.- States of Psychomotor Epilepsy Following Different Kinds of Brain Disease and Trauma.