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."

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 Euro pean 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. 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 training. However, we are convinced that it will also be useful to experienced, fully trained neurosurgeons."

This is a unique book in that it brings together the two key investigative techniques in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, namely ultrasound and endoscopy. So often in the past they were regarded by their exponents as rival techniques but it is now recognised that they are complementary to each other. Consequently future trainees in endoscopy should become efficient in transvaginal sonography and vice versa. Ultrasound can be used to study the morphology of the pelvic organs such as the endometrium, myometrium and ovaries, and being non-invasive, safe and convenient can be repeated as often as is deemed necessary to monitor changes over time; for example in the investigation of the infertile woman the development of the dominant follicle, the maturation of the endometrium and the formation of the corpus luteum can be documented throughout the menstrual cycle while growth of ovarian cysts can be precisely measured to determine the need for surgery. A seldom-mentioned strength of the ultrasound examination is its interactive quality, for example by performing abdominal palpation during the scan, the mobility of the uterus and ovaries can be assessed. Also the images as they appear can be shown to the patient to aid understanding. Ultrasound can also determine function and the use of Doppler has been used for example to access endometrial receptivity, follicular maturity and the likelihood of malignancy in the endometrium or ovary.

by Dr. Donald L. King The past decade has seen the ascent of ultrasonography to a preeminent position as a diagnostic imaging modality for obstetrics and gynecology. It can be stated without qualification that modern obstetrics and gynecology cannot be practiced without the use of diagnostic ultrasound, and in particular, the use of ultrasonogra phy. Ultrasonography quickly and safely provides detailed, high resolution images of the pelvic organs and gravid uterus. The quality and quantity of diagnostic information obtained by ultra sonography far exceeds anything previously available and has had a revolutionary impact on the management of patients. High resolution static images permit the intrauterine diagnosis of fetal growth retardation and fetal abnormalities. In addition to tradi tional images, newer dynamic imaging techniques allow observa tion of fetal motion, cardiac pulsation, and respiratory efforts. The use of ultrasonography for guidance has greatly augmented the safety and utility of amniocentesis. One of the great virtues of diagnostic ultrasound has been its apparent safety. At present energy levels, diagnostic ultrasound appears to be without any injurious effect. Although all the availa ble evidence suggests that it is a very safe modality and that the benefit to risk ratio is very high, the actual safety margin for its use Vll as yet remains unknown. As a consequence, practitioners are urged to limit its use only to those situations in which genuine clinical indica tions exist and real benefit to the patient is likely to result."

An Advanced Study Institute on Ultrasonics in Medical Diagnosis was held in Milan, Italy, from 10 to 15 June 1974. This ASI was of a short five-day duration and limited to cardiac diagnosis by ultra sound only. Since that time, the field of diagnostic imaging in medicine has literally exploded with new and improved means of medical diagnosis such as computed tomography, microwaves, nuclear magnetic resonance and other sophisticated techniques. These developments have enabled medical practitioners to make diagnoses with a minimum of danger to the patient, and a maximum of accuracy never before possible, and represent a multi-quantum advance over the early state-of-the-art presented at the 1974 ASI. Since then, several meetings have taken place on these individual topics to bring together experts who presented their latest research results, but none have discussed the entire field of diagnostic imaging in medicine in one meeting nor have they had the teaching character of an Advanced Study Institute. The art and science of medicine have been altered repeatedly during the eight year interval since the last ASI. Today's clinician must be part technologist and must be enough of an investigator to understand and appreciate the scientific method. The current complex advances in instrumentation and pharmacology have had a marked effect on how medicine is practiced. There was, therefore, an urgent need to bring the entire field of imaging in medicine to one teaching podium where the many advances of the last six or seven years could be reviewed.

The rapid growth of fibre-optic endoscopy in recent than 7,500 examinations has been accumulated. years has had two consequences for the radiology of In part I of this study the theoretical background the stomach and the duocienum. and the technique of examination proper are de- scribed. The basic principles of interpretation of DC 1. Radiology has lost its previously rather auton- studies are stated. omous position in this field. Part II deals with the results. Chapter 5 consists of 2. As a result of the constant feed-back from the general remarks on the results, and on the comple- endoscopist, which the radiologist can and should mentary role of radiological examination and endos- have, he is in an excellent position to re-evaluate copy. Chapter 6 deals with a quantative study of and improve his own technique of examination. standard biphasic-contrast examinations in patients The author believes that the radiological exam- over a period of 3 years. This study was restricted to ination retains its value as a screening technique and malignant lesions, because it is only in this group a complementary method to gastroscopy and biop- that the definite criterion, a histological diagnosis, is sy. Only a sophisticated radiological technique will obtained. The natural history of malignant lesions fulfil these requirements. In 1973 the author devel- also makes follow-up studies possible. Results of the oped a standard examination that was called "bi- diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer (EGC) are phasic", because it combines the advantages of included.

This book is not intended as a general text on MRI. It is written as an intro duction to the field, for nonexperts. We present here a simple exposition of certain aspects of MRI that are important to understand to use this valuable diagnostic tool intelligently in a clinical setting. The basic principles are presented nonmathematically, using no equations and a minimum of symbols and abbreviations. For those requiring a deeper understanding of MRI, this book will help facilitate the transition to standard texts. Chapters 1 through 4 provide a general introduction to the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance and how it is used in imaging. Chapter 1 discus ses magnetic resonance, using a compass needle as an example. In Chapter 2, the transition to the magnetic resonance of the atomic nucleus is made. Chapter 3 describes the principles of imaging. In Chapter 4, the terms T 1 and T 2 are described and their relationship to tissue characterization; the fun damental role of thermal magnetic noise in T 1 and T 2 is discussed.

Trauma to the abdomen, both accidental and willful, has become increasingly common in this era of increasing violence. Large numbers of patients all over the country are admitted to emergency rooms because of abdominal trauma of varying degrees of severity. All too often the correct diagnosis is suspected belatedly or not at all, so that proper treatment is not initiated in sufficient time to be lifesaving. Not infre quently, the injured patient is examined by an intern or an insufficiently experienced resident physician. Even in instances where more senior internists and surgeons are available, detailed knowledge about the necessary methodology to establish the correct diagnosis and institute the appropriate treatment is lacking. This monograph, representing the felicitous collaboration of a surgeon and a radiolo gist together with several other contributors, is timely and important. The authors (and their contributors) have approached their subject with a wealth of clinical experi ence obtained in several very active acute-care municipal hospitals in the largest city in this country. They have observed and treated a very large number of patients with a multitude of traumatic causes, including firearm injuries, stab wounds, vehicular accidents, falls, and assaults. The authors have divided this work into four main sections: General Perspectives on Abdominal Injury, Types of Abdominal Injuries, Specific Diagnostic Techniques, and Specific Organ or Supporting-Structure Injury."

J.J. Broerse, Radiobiological Institute TNO, Rijswijk, The Netherlands, and T .J. MacVittie, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA. During the past decade, relatively few new studies have been initiated on the response of different species to high-dose, total-body irradia- tion. For information on the LDSO/30d (the dose which produces 50 percent lethality within 30 days), one is generally referred to the older literature (e. g., Bond, Fliedner and Archambeau, 1965). Compari- son of experimental data reveals considerable variations in LDSD values even after total-body irradiation with conventional X rays, ranging from 4 to 6 Gy in the monkey, 7.1 to 9 Gy in the rat and from 6.4 to 9 Gy in the mouse (see also Hall, 1978). Part of the discrepancy in the LDso values can possibly be attributed to inadequacies in the dosimetry procedures and exposure arrangements employed. As far as clinical experience is concerned, there is now an appreciable amount of information available about the effect of total- body irradiation as a conditioning treatment for bone marrow transplan- tation in patients suffering from leukaemia or aplastic anaemia. The results from different centres, including the incidence of complications such as radiation pneumonitis, are considerably different. This can part I y be connected with the application of different radiation sched- ules: large single dose versus fractionated or protracted irradiation.

There are two important reasons for publishing this new series entitled "Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery": 1. the lack of any organized 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 III English, regardless of the native language of the authors. All contributions are submitted to the entire editorial board before publication 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 training. However, we are convinced that it will also be useful to experienced, fully trained neurosurgeons.

Echocardiography has recently become one of' the most important techniques in clinical cardiology. The major advantage of this method is its noninvasive nature enabling us to apply it under a widespread variety of clinical conditions. In the late 1960s, when research and clinical application of echo cardiography were started, and during the first decade investigations were mainly focused on the morphology of the valves and the chambers of the heart. The introduction of two-dimensional echocardiography was a major breakthrough in visualizing different portions of the heart. How ever, the poor resolution of the first devices provided only little qualitative information. With the introduction of phased array 2-D-echo-devices yielding better results and the application of computer techniques for the processing of M-mode and two-dimensional echo cardiograms, a great amount of qualitative information has become available to describe not only the morphology, but also the dynamic function of the heart in a noninvasive manner. This volume summarizes the lectures held at the International Symposium on Echocardiography, Hamburg, September 1978, endeavoring to review the current state of knowledge with regard to echo cardiography in the experimental and clinical setting. We herewith thank all lecturers, who have contributed to the publication and the Pharma-Schwarz Company which enabled us to organize this meeting by a generous subsidy."

In the last few years ways of thinking in psychiatry have undergone considerable change thanks to advances in the fields of morphology and plasticity of the CNS, particularly with regard to schizophrenic and mood disorders. In addition, the rapid and considerable development of neuroimaging techniques (CT, MRI, PET and computerized EEG) and of molecular genetics (through DNA recombinant meth odologies) have widened the approach to these disorders in a way unimagined a few years ago. These advances and the new etiopathogenetic hypotheses that have sprung from them were the central theme of the Second International Meeting on Schizophre nia "Morphology and Plasticity of the Central Nervous System - A Challenge for Psychiatry of the Nineties" which was organized by the Association for Research on Schizophrenia (ARS), the Schizophrenia Research Center of the Institute of Psychiatry of the University of Milan and the T. and F. Legrenzi Foundation, held in Milan on October 22-24, 1987. This book contains the contributions from participants of the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere and marked by lively and exhaustive discussions on the various papers. The contributions were recently revised for the present publication. We would like to express our appreciation to the book's contributors for the high quality of their reports."

There are two important reasons for commencing this new series of publi cations entitled "Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery" 1. the lack of any organized common European postgraduate training system for young neurosurgeons and 2. the language barriers, which impede the exchange of neuro surgical 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 will be written by specialists in the given fields and will constitute the first part of each volume."

Diagnostic ultrasound is changing dramatically because of the development of a variety of high resolution real-time scanning instruments. Until recently the standard instrument was the articulated arm contact scanner. Real-time scanners were viewed as adjunct instruments for specific and limited pur poses. The roles are reversing with real-time instruments more frequently accepted as the primary diagnostic tool and the contact scanner becoming the ancillary instrument for use mainly for viewing a large field that cannot be scanned with real-time instruments. Two recent editorials stated that real-time instruments were used as the sole diagnostic instrument for between 80% [Cooperberg (2)] and 98% [Bartrum and Crow (1)] of their abdominal examinations. This book introduces the reader to the field of real-time scanning in the abdomen. It presupposes an understanding of basic physical concepts of ultrasound, the appearance of both normal and pathologic conditions as produced by static articulated arm contact scanning, and a familiarity with the techniques of contact scanning. It is designed to acquaint the reader with the spectrum of real-time instrumentation, provide a basic understanding of the physics of ultrasound as related to these instruments, emphasize the special skills required in the use of this equipment, and describe applications of real-time scanning for various parts of the abdomen. While numerous illustrations of both normal and pathologic anatomy are shown, the book is an all-inclusive study of abdominal pathology as demonstrated by real-time imaging.

This atlas is a selection of roentgenograms of patients who visited the radiology departments at the University Hospital in Leiden between 1970 and 1978, the Free University Hospital in Amsterdam in 1979, and the radiology department at the Indiana University Medical School in Indianapolis in 1977. The most common radiological abnormalities of the small intestine are illustrated clearly, unhindered by flocculation or segmentation of the contrast fluid. The authors believe this book is a definite contribution to the goal of precise early small bowel diagnosis. However, the key to good diagnosis is not only a superb examination technique, but also the knowledge, the character, and the personal perfectionism of the physician. If these factors are optimal, then the best possible roentgenographic series will be obtained - at least as far as the technique is concerned. All patients illustrated here were examined by using the enteroclysis technique. With this method of small bowel examination, the contrast fluid is administered via an infusion directly into the duodenum instead of orally. The infusion method has added a new dimension to the usual radiological examination of the small intestine. This method is also especially suited for the comparative evaluation of motility, and the study of disturbed motility. Throughout the course of the examination, the technique can be adapted to special situations at any given moment and can be modified to produce precise diagnostic roentgenograms and diagnosis.

The purpose of this book is to explain the current state of the art in radiological examination, interpretation, and understanding of colonic disease. The radiologic aspects of colon disease are combined here with clinical information to serve both beginners and advanced students. Major emphasis has been placed on technique for those radiologists, residents, and technologists first undertaking modern gastrointestinal radiographic techniques. The essentials of technique are stressed so that the reader obtains a clear understanding of colon disease based on sound practical information. We believe this book is a thorough and practical text of particular interest to clinical radiologists and gastroenterologists in their everyday practice, and also for teachers, residents and medical students. Digital examination and sigmoidoscopy are the first procedures in examination of the colon. Then, the radiologic examination is the next most important procedure. Endoscopy and biopsy play a compli mentary role to the radiological examination. The barium enema reveals quickly and early the overall status of the colon and it can then guide endoscopy and biopsy together with subsequent treatment. Surely, if the lesion is not detected our clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and therapeutic skills are of no use."

There have been significant advances in the treatment of sarcomas in the past several years. Further, different clini cal treatment programs are being advocated in different areas including surgery alone, surgery with preoperative or post operative chemotherapy, surgery with different radiotherapy modalities, with each investigator espousing his own treat ment program. On the other side, there is the question of whether these treatment programs are offering better results or whether the natural history of sarcomas has changed. The International Symposium on Sarcomas was held at Innisbrook Resort, Tarpon Springs, Florida, October 8-10, 1987. This was the first international symposium to date involving all of the disciplines treating sarcomas including pathologists, orthopaedic surgeons, general surgeons, medical oncologists, pediatric oncologists, and radiation oncol ogists. The Symposium brought together a number of special ists working in the clinical field of sarcomas for a presen tation of their specific treatment programs and their results. The presentations were followed by panel discussions to stimulate educational debate as to the different forms of treatment for sarcomas and to formulate some conformity in control of disease, control of spread, and ultimate function for the patient. James R. Ryan, M.D."

It Itis is 1984, 1984, a a year year immortalized immortalizedby by George GeorgeOrwell Orwell some some35 35 year year ago. ago. In In 1949, 1949, he he prophesized prophesized a a world worlddominated dominated by by television television images images and andelectronic electronic communica communica tions. Orwell's vision of an incredible technologic revolution is the reality of the tions. Orwell'svisionofanincredibletechnologicrevolutionistherealityofthe 1980's. 1980's. Over Over the the past past three threedecades, decades, this this technical technicalexplosion explosion has has impacted impacted on on all all levels levelsof of society, society, including including the the practice practice of ofMedicine. Medicine. In 1949, the cardiologist had available to him only his stethoscope, the chest In1949, thecardiologisthadavailabletohimonlyhisstethoscope, thechest roentgenogram, roentgenogram, the theelectrocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and and his hisclinical clinical astuteness. astuteness. In In 1984, 1984, the the cardiologist still requires great clinical skills, but also has available to him echo cardiologiststillrequiresgreatclinicalskills, butalsohasavailabletohimecho cardiography, cardiography, radionuclide radionuclideperfusion perfusion and and functional functional tests, tests, digital digital radiography, radiography, computed computed tomography, tomography, positron positronemission emission tomography, tomography, and and nuclear nuclearmagnetic magnetic resonance resonanceimaging. imaging. These These imaging imagingmodalities modalities are are the theresult result of ofthe the development developmentof of the the digital digitalcomputer, computer, and and the theexplosive explosive advances advances in in microelectronics. microelectronics. Cardiac Cardiac imaging imaginghas has rapidly rapidlyevolved evolved into intoa a specialized specialized area area of of interest interestshared shared by by cardiolo cardiolo gists, radiologists, engineers, physicists, and statisticians. Our book, Digital gists, radiologists, engineers, physicists, andstatisticians."

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. 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 post graduate training. However, we are convinced that it will also be useful to experienced, fully trained neurosurgeons."

As an addition to the European postgraduate training system for young neurosurgeons we began to publish in 1974 this series of Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery which was later sponsored by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. This series was first discussed in 1972 at a combined meeting of the Italian and German Neurosurgical Societies in Taormina, the founding fathers of the series being Jean Brihaye, Bernard Pertuiset, Fritz Loew and Hugo Krayenbiihl. Thus were established the principles of European co operation which have been born from the European spirit, flourished in the European Association, and have throughout been associated with this series. 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. 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 spe cialists in the given fields and constitute the first part of each volume."

The advances in neuroimaging are occurring at a we wish to accomplish by bringing out a series of dizzying pace. It is difficult for trainees in radiology volumes, each dealing with a single theme. The first and others in neurosciences-related disciplines to one is in your hands. keep abreast of the new developments. It is especially We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the important to design neuroimaging protocols to distinguished contributors, who have done an out evaluate various neurological diseases. It therefore standing job. We equally thank our publisher. seems highly desirable that review articles be readily Comments are welcome. available that comb through the plethora of literature and provide state-of-the-art information on neuro MS imaging of neurological diseases. It is this goal that SB Xl IMAGING OF NON-TRAUMATIC ISCHEMIC AND HEMORRHAGIC DISORDERS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 1. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE Robert D. Zimmerman Historical Background is inferior scanners with MR units. If, however, MR The advent of magnetic resonance imaging led to to CT in the detection of hemorrhage, hospitals attempts to define the appearance of hemorrhage would still be required to maintain CT scanners, using this new technique. Early reports focused on since the demonstration of hemorrhage is of para hematomas studied with T1-weighted (Tl W) inver mount diagnostic and therapeutic importance in a sion recovery (IR) Scans performed on resistive MR patient with acute neurologic ictus. imagers."

Interest in bone densitometry methods has recently experienced a resurgence within the medical community. Physicians have become more interested than ever before in the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative diseases of bone such as osteoporosis. The public perception of osteoporosis and its prevention has been recently heightened. Because osteoporosis is widespread, especially in women, and leads to an increase in fractures in our population, many re searchers and clinicians are strongly motivated in their search for more sensi tive and accurate methods of diagnosis. This book was written for physicians, scientists, engineers, medical phy sicists, and others desiring an introduction or further understanding of this exciting field. Beginning with the early development of x-ray film methods for assessing bone status, the field has steadily grown throughout the years. Novel and interesting devices have been designed for the measurement of bone mass, bone density, cortical thickness, and other parameters of bone changes. Both qualitative and quantitative bone methods are described. The techniques include imaging devices such as CT and radiography as well as fixed point methods in which bone characteristics of a region of interest are analyzed."

In this issue of Radiologic Clinics, guest editor Dr. Loren Ketai brings his considerable expertise to the topic of Imaging of Thoracic Infections. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as infections in lung and other solid organ transplants, endemic fungal infections, viral pneumonias, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and more. Contains 12 relevant, practice-oriented topics including coronavirus pneumonias; endemic thoracic infections in Central and South America; endemic thoracic infections in East Asia; endemic thoracic infections in sub-Saharan Africa; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on imaging of thoracic infections, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

During the past decade Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has turned from a highly sophisticated tool developed for basic research in neurology and cardiology into an advanced nuclear medicine imaging technique ready for routine use. Along with remarkable technical improvements, an overwhelming number of PET studies has been published covering not only scientific but also relevant clinical problems. Due to this rapid development, comprehensive information about the current status of 'clinical' PET is lacking. In this book the applications of PET in neurology, cardiology and oncology are discussed in separate sections. In each section, following an introduction reviewing the present clinical demands, special diagnostic problems and their possible solution by PET are addressed. Results of conventional scintigraphic techniques are also mentioned, and compared with PET. In the last section, technical aspects (e.g. instrumentation, software) are presented, including statements of representatives of leading manufacturers in the field. Clinical PET provides a critical overview of relevant applications of PET for all those who are starting to run a PET facility or are planning to do so. The book is also dedicated to interested clinicians who are willing to utilize the diagnostic potential of PET.

The idea for this treatise on the radiological anatomy of superficial and deep spinal cord vasculature evolved from daily routine neuroradiological work. This was also the reason for subdividing the monograph into a postmortem anatomical and a clinical part. The actual importance of a clear conception of radio anatomic fundamentals was made clear by many clinical conferences with neurologists, neurosurgeons and orthopedists, where a lack of knowledge about medullary syndromes of suspected vascular origin became evident. Also among neuroradiologists there is still widespread uncertainty in the interpretation of myelograms and angiographies in such cases. A study of the spinal cord's angioarchitecture is all the more justified and necessary considering the vast number of descriptions of cerebro vascular anatomy and pathology. The clinical challenge posed by patients suffering from partial or complete transverse spinal lesions has grown due to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Myelography using water-soluble contrast media, X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and spinal angiography today allow and require both earlier and topographically and pathogenetically more exact classification of diseases of the spinal cord and its surrounding structures. Due to progress in microneurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology, even intramedullary lesions have become more and more accessible and treatable. Therefore this monograph mainly addresses those concerned with invasive therapeutic techniques and who are familiar with the interpretation of radio anatomic findings. A comprehensive description of medullary vascular syndromes would be beyond the scope of this treatise."