A brain-computer interface (BCI) establishes a direct output channel between the human brain and external devices. BCIs infer user intent via direct measures of brain activity and thus enable communication and control without movement. This book, authored by experts in the field, provides an accessible introduction to the neurophysiological and signal-processing background required for BCI, presents state-of-the-art non-invasive and invasive approaches, gives an overview of current hardware and software solutions, and reviews the most interesting as well as new, emerging BCI applications. The book is intended not only for students and young researchers, but also for newcomers and other readers from diverse backgrounds keen to learn about this vital scientific endeavour.

Surgical repair of cerebral aneurysms is a core aspect of neurosurgical practice. While open microvascular technique has dominated Western surgical practice, surgeons in the former USSR have developed endovascular techniques that have gained acceptance among surgeons here. This text demonstrates both surgical and endovascular approaches, written and illustrated by surgeons with vast experience in both, in a comparative context. The work is extensively illustrated with full-color surgical illustrations, line drawings, and radiographs.

The human nervous system-that most complex organization of energy and matter-has yielded a few glimmers of understanding of its operational me chanics during the last two decades. These have mostly been at the biochemical level of structure and function. Throughout history, as one of the mysteries of nature begins to yield some insights into its function, it has been beneficial to look at it from different points of view. We have developed a volume on movement disorders that is primarily directed toward the biochemical understanding of these disorders and their treatment. Each disorder is presented from several points of view. Although this approach leads to some repetition, it is our aim that the final outcome be a more complete understanding. Much has been written about movement: the beauty of the prima ballerina, the strength of the olympic athlete, and the agility of the surgeon. Seldom do we stop to look beneath the surface-the coordination of muscle groups, the finely tuned balance allowing rapid response in either direction, the individual muscle fibers coordinated to maximize strength and agility, and the nerve fibers connecting muscle with nerve centers. Some of these communicate sensory input of position to the centers while others communicate directions of move ment to muscles. We encourage our readers to be constantly alert to the possibility of in creasing their understanding of other nervous system functions, including thought disorder, through an understanding of movement, either in general principle or by specific chemical interaction."

In this volume, world authorities on spinal surgery from the fields of Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Neuroscience present current data on the basic science and clinical management of the unstable spine. Unique to this book: a frank presentation of controversies in the field.

Until recently, monitoring of cerebral blood flow and metabolism was an unattained goal. Determination of cerebral blood flow was limited to intermittent measurements and particularly difficult to perform in critically ill patients. Meanwhile there are techniques available, however, to monitor cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation, both globally and regionally. Therefore we thought it worthwhile to discuss these new continuous techniques and to compare them with well-known techniques which discontinuously measure CBF. For that purpose, an international workshop with some leading experts in the field was held in October 1992 in Berlin. The workshop consisted of about 20 lectures, either reviews on a special topic, or latest results. These contributions were given by invitation and were extensively discussed. Unfortunately it is impossible to reproduce the discussions. On the other hand, all speakers delivered a manuscript promptly after the meeting so that we were able to edit them within a short time. Since monitoring of cerebral blood flow in intensive care is a rapidly growing and changing topic, the written contributions should be quickly available. Authors, editors and publishers have tried to come close to this ideal. As editors we would like to thank the authors and the publishers who enabled us to come out with this volume of the proceedings as early as possible.

In July 2008, European and Japanese specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, interventional neuroradiology and neurointensive care joined together to discuss the latest developments in the management of cerebrovascular disorders at the 4th European Japanese Joint Conference on Stroke Surgery, held in Helsinki, Finland. This collection of papers from the meeting deal with aneurysm surgery and management of subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke, arterial dissection, intracranial arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, and microneurosurgical bypass and revascularization techniques.

Primary reconstructive surgery is assuming increasing importance in the management of fractures of the spine. Analysis of the injury and thus surgical decision-making are greatly facilitated by the diagnostic power of CT and MRI. This volume provides a systemic introduction to the interpretation of CT and MRI images of injuries to the spinal column and the spinal cord, with special emphasis on the assessment or residual stability. Since survey X-rays remain the indispensable first step in radiodiagnosis, the typical appearances of spinal injuries on conventional films are also shown. This will help the reader interpret the CT and MRI images and also reflects the procedure in radiologic practice. The books classification of spinal fractures, together with the attempt to conclude how the injury happened by analyzing the damage caused, paves the way for individually oriented therapy.

There are two important reasons for publishing this new series entitled "Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery" 1. the lack of any or 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."

In recent years much progress has been made in the field of neurochemical monitoring for the acutelly injured brain. The development of safe continuous microdialysis techniques coupled with microanalytical methodology can generate semi-continuous time profiles of the changes in numerous brain analytes such as lactate, glucose, pyruvate, excitatory amino acids, structural amino acids, indicators of free radical generation, cytokines, adenosine, and neuroprotective drugs. Descriptive studies have shown profound, prolonged, and severe abnormalities in many of the analytes measured and the next phase is to determine the effects of therapeutic interventions upon these parameters. This field of research has contributed tremendously to our understanding of pathomechanisms in acute human brain damage.

Despite recent technological innovations in neuroradiology, the ultimate diagnosis of brain tumors is still based on the histopathological findings from specimens taken during surgery. The material in this atlas represents approximately 700 brain tumor specimens collected mainly in the authors' own clinics. In most cases, complementary light-and-electron-microscopic images of the same case are presented. This volume is a clear and comprehensive guide to the pathology of tumors arising from the central nervous system and should prove useful to pathology residents, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and senior medical students.

The XIV International Symposium on Brain Edema and Brain Tissue Injury took place in Warsaw, Poland, on 11-14 June 2008. Two prominent members of the International Society for Brain Edema: Dr. Igor Klatzo and Dr. Julien Hoff have passed away after the last 2005 Symposium in Ann Arbor, USA. Dr. Igor Klatzo was actually the founder of the Society, and the Advisory Board decided to commemorate Dr. Igor Klatzo by introducing a lecture named after him to be given at the Symposium. Prof. Dr. Hans-Jurgen Reulen has been honored to give the frst Igor Klatzo lecture entitled "Bulk Flow and Diffusion revisited, and Clinical Applications". This volume contains 65 out of the 104 papers presented at the Symposium as lectures or posters. The topics of the Symposium were similar to those discussed at the previous ones. Many discussions focused on clinical work especially diagnosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and traumatic brain injury. Diagnosis and therapy, including surgical methods, have also been verifed. Much attention was drawn to the application of decompressive craniectomy in the treatment of posttr- matic intracranial hypertension. The pathomechanisms of brain edema and tissue injury studied in experimental models have been also presented.

Selected papers from the prestigious Stonwin Medical Conference, which each summer invites a small group of neurosurgical investigation. This volume presents recent advances in research and practice of surgery of the severed spinal cord. Future volumes will treat similarly focused, cutting-edge topics. In terms of editorial strategy, this series will afford Springer entree to a select groups of neurosurgeons.

This monograph analyses all aspects related to the etiopathogenesis, pathomorphology, diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation. It includes 24 chapters, over 500 illustrations, partly in colour, and 2800 bibliographic entries, going from the historical to the most recent ones. Five chapters are dedicated to biological and pathomorphologic aspects both of lumbar disc herniation and the conditions most often associated with herniation. The etiopathogenesis is analysed in the light of the most significant and recent studies. Five chapters deal with the clinical presentation and diagnostic tests in an extremely wide and detailed way. Large space is reserved to conservative management. The chapters on invasive treatments and on the results and complications of surgery define the advantages and limitations of the old and new percutaneous or surgical treatments. Two chapters are dedicated to surgical management of patients with spinal conditions associated with herniation, and two other deal with the surgical failure. This monograph is aimed at satisfying the requirements of both experts and young doctors. Some chapters are of particular interest to the spine specialist, whilst others are useful to the novice to acquire a general knowledge of the subject.

Great progress has been made in the understanding and prevention of secondary brain damage from acute cerebral disorders, such as trauma and ischemia. Advances may be concerned in particular with better organization and logistics of preclinical emergency care, including rapid arrival of well-trained medical staff on the scene of an accident and of transportation to a competent hospital. Nevertheless, it is a safe assumption that development of secondary brain damage from both intra- and extracranial causes still represents a major factor for the final outcome in severe head injury. Thus, exchanges of experiences and information between various disciplines involved with this important clinical problem - trauma still assumes the number one position as a cause of morbidity and mortality up to an age of 45 years - may provide a basis for in-depth analysis of remaining problems as well as of methods of their solution. This exactly is the purpose of the present publication on concepts and findings pertinent for the general subject of secondary brain damage from various experimental as well as clinical viewpoints. An internationally high-ranking group of experts has been contributing to this collection of reviews on cerebral trauma and ischemia and its adverse sequelae, including cerebral exploration by most modern technologies, such as NMR spectroscopy or PET scanning, among others.

These collected papers represent only a small part of the large amount of new work in the field of stereotaxy. The number of contributions to the Birmingham meeting was such that only selected papers, chosen as representative of advances in the field, could be printed. These papers present the most up to date accounts of major advances in stereotactic imaging and the renewed interest in the stereotactic treatment of movement disorders. Contents Section I. Stereotactic Imaging, Tumours and Haematomas Lipinski, H. G., Struppler, A., Birk, P.: Transformation Modes in Computerized Human Thalamic Brain Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 3 . . . Giunta, F., Marini, G., Bertossi, M.: Stereotactic Computer Graphic System with Brain Maps. . ., 7 Giorgi, c., Cerchiari, U., Broggi, G., Contardi, N., Birk, P., Struppler, A: An Intraoperative Interactive Method to Monitor Stereotactic Functional Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . . 10 Giorgi, c., Cerchiari, u., Broggi, G., Passerini, A.: 3-D Reconstruction of Cerebral Angiography in Stereotactic Neurosurgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 13 . . Vandermeulen, D., Suetens, P., Gybels, J., Oosteriinck, A: Angiographic Localizer Ring for the BRW Stereotactic System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . 15 . . . Uematsu, S., Rosenbaum, A. E., Erozan, Y. S., Gupta, P. K., Moses, H., Nauta, H. J., Rigsby, W. H., Wang, A, Weiderman, L., Kumar, A J.: Intraoperative CT Monitoring During Stereotactic Brain Surgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 18 . . .

The dawn of neurosurgery can be traced back to the first description preserved in the Edwin Smith papyrus' (3000 Be) which dealt with head and spinal injury. In the course of 5000 years, since the first record in Egypt, advances in lifestyle and technology have brought about our modern civilized society. However, as a result of civilization, currently the total number of severe head injuries worldwide is believed to exceed 10000000 and the number of severe spinal injuries is believed to be more than 75 000 each year. This means that central nervous system injury is not only the oldest topic in neurosurgery, but that it is also of critical importance in modern life. Taking these problems into consideration, the International Neurotraumatology Committee was organized in 1965 as an affiliated Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. The first scientific meeting was convened by the Committee in Marseilles in 1970. Nine further meetings were subsequently held, in Europe, Africa, and South America. The meeting was first named "International Conference on Recent Advances in Neurotrauma tology" (ICRAN) by Professor Phillip Harris, when the scientific meeting was held in Edinburgh in 1982. The tenth meeting, (ICRAN 1992), the first one in Asia, was held at Karuizawa, Japan, from September 23rd to 26th, 1992."

This monograph presents a comprehensive review of the clinical experience in surgical repair of cranial defects which the author has gained during a period of over ten years. Particular problems of patients undergoing cranioplasty, such as neurological impairments, EEG changes, variations of intracranial pressure, and sinking skin flap syndrome are described and discussed. The author presents convincing evidence of the importance of cranioplasty in improving the quality of life of patients with large and disfiguring cranial defects. Unfortunately, cranioplasty still ameliorates only to a minimal extent the general condition in patients suffering of major cerebral lesions. I am convinced that this volume will serve the purpose it was designed for : that it will be a most helpful introduction into the problems related to reconstructive surgery. Basel, August 1984 Otmar Gratzl Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A. History of Cranioplasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 B. Clinical Aspects of Cranial Bone Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 I. Origin of Cranial Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1. Acquired Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2. Congenital Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3. Demographic and Other Characteristics of Patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 II. Neurological and Psychic Changes Before and After Cranioplasty . . . . . . . 11 1. Classification of Neurological Deficits and of the Skin Flap Types . . . . . 13 2. The "Sinking Skin Flap Syndrome" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 3. The Influence of Cranioplasty Upon Neurological and Psychic Changes 17 III. Electroencephalographic (EEG) Changes in Patients with Cranial Defects 21 1. EEG Recordings and Casuistic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 2. Evaluation of EEG Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 IV. Scintigraphy Findings in Patients with Cranial Bone Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 1. Casuistic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 2. Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

From its discovery in 1929 by Hans Berger until the late 1960s, when sensory visual and auditory evoked potentials were dis covered and became popular, the EEG was the most important method of neurophysiological examination. W-ith the advent of computer technology in the 1980s, it became possible to plot the potential fields of the EEG onto models of the scalp. This plot ting of information as neuroimages followed the structural and functional techniques of Cf, MRI, PET and SPECf. The success of this method, which began in the early 1980s, has led to the brain mapping of EEGs and EPs being increasingly used for di agnosistic purposes in neurology, psychiatry and psychopharma cology. The pioneers of this method believed in it and were commit ted to its success. However, many traditionalists felt that it gave no new information and so regarded the method with scepticism. Some found both the coloured maps and the mapping technique misleading, which led to unnecessary conflict between mappers and their chromophobic oponents. Emotions have run so high that some professional bodies have justifiably adopted guidelines and warned of the misuse of the method."

The publication of the Vth International Symposium 1995 on "Mechanisms of Secondary Brain Damage" in Mauls/ltaly is a collection of focused reviews reaching from novel molecular- and cell biological findings to aspects of clinical management in head injury and cerebral ischemia. A specific purpose of these series of meetings introduced in 1984 is for an exchange on problems of mutual interest by international high ranking experts from the basic sciences and related clinical disciplines, such as intensive care medicine, neurology, or neurosurgery. The present volume covers three major areas: (a) Molecular and cell biological mechanisms including inflammation (b) Novel findings on mechanisms and treatment in cerebral ischemia (c) Secondary processes in head injury, regeneration and treatment Molecular-and cell biology is currently attracting attention towards activation of genomic processes associated with the demise of cells referred to as "programmed cell death" and "apoptosis" which, actually, might be distinguished from each other. Thus, the phenomenon of delayed neuronal death in selectively vulnerable brain areas following brief interruption of blood flow is scrutinized as to the contribution of the activation of suicide genes. The physiological role of such a response, among others, is removal of surplus neurons during ontogenesis of the brain. Yet, evidence is accumulating that similar mechanisms playa role in cerebral ischemia, probably also trauma, where nerve-and other cells demonstrate features of apoptosis. Observations on protection of neurons by administration of protein synthesis inhibitors in cerebral ischemia provide more direct support.

Despite a worldwide reduction in its incidence, stroke remains one of the most common diseases generally and the most important cause of premature and persistent disability in the industrialized countries. The most frequent cause of stroke is a localized disturbance of cerebral circulation, i.e., cerebral ischemia. Less common are spon taneous intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages and sinus ve nous thromboses. The introduction of new diagnostic procedures such as cranial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, digi tal subtraction radiologic techniques, and various ultrasound tech niques has led to impressive advances in the diagnosis of stroke. Through the planned application of these techniques, it is even possible to identify the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying focal cerebral ischemia in humans. However, these diagnostic advances have made the gap between diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic implications even greater than before. This fact can be easily explained. In the past, therapeutic studies had to be based on the symptoms and temporal aspects of stroke; it was impossible for early investigations to consider the various pathogeneses of cerebral ischemia. Inevitably, stroke patients were treated as suffering from a uniform disease.

The tumors of the brain similar to other pathological changes of that particular organ claim for a separate position in scientific medicine regarding biology, morphology, features of clinical manifestation, diagnostics and therapy. During the past years due to rapid progress in basic neurosciences and medical biotechnics the situation of the neuroclinician in front of brain tumors has been dramatically changed. The prerequisites for early and accurate diagnosis as well as for successful treatment also of malignant neoplasms have increased and remarkably improved. At the same time the information necessary for an appropriate pragmatic use of the available cognitive methods and therapeutic means increased along the same scale and is permanently being critically modified or changed due to fundamental new insights which come up in always shorter intervals. These facts necessitate the preparation of publications in which the state of the art is presented in possible completeness, systematic order and proper disposability for rational management and therapeutic strategies.

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 - a reparatory process? - Growth factors and carcinogenesis

In his Preface, Dr. Fox has quoted Cannon Professor Fox has undertaken the monumental task of compiling the available data on intracra- and Rosenblueth in questioning where to stop nial arterial aneurysms. The magnitude and ex- the record. One can only document progress tent of the undertaking attest to the tremen- to date-and certainly the advances in this field dous amount of information which has are noteworthy-and then make some cau- accumulated in the past few decades and to tious predictions for the future. They have cor- the accelerated pace at which the field has ex- rectly made note that the overall morbidity panded, particularly since the end of World and mortality of these aneurysm patients re- War II. mains unacceptably high, largely as a result of Our heritage can be traced to many sources, the secondary complications of the subarach- among whom should be mentioned such nota- noid hemorrhage itself. More attention should bles as Willis, Quincke, Blackall, Moniz, Dott, be directed in the future to the recognition of Dandy, Hounsfield, and others. The modern era those patients with unruptured aneurysms and includes a number of investigators and clini- those with minimal bleeds. Hopefully infor- cians, some of whom have contributed to this mation will be forthcoming as to which indi- magnificent tome. The bibliography of over viduals are at risk because of some unusual con- 4000 references represents the increasing in- genital, metabolic, or acquired defect.

Every so often a gathering of minds and experience occurs that results in an all encompassing overview in depth of such a vast subject as Cerebro-Vascular Malformations, as occurred in Verona in June 1992 and which warrants publication. Professors Da Pian and Pasqualin deserve high compliment and it is a measure of the respect in which they are held that virtually all those most knowledgeable around the world attended, presented their work and thoughts and contributed to intense discussion. Ljunggren's opening historical survey set the stage and must be the most comprehensive yet published. Subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysm rupture still constitutes, I dare say, the most difficult problem for neurosurgeons, in relief of the brain injury and arterial reaction and the technical perfection of aneurysm obliteration, even for small, as well as large and giant sacs. Very large high flow A VMs can be as demanding too. The bulk of the conference was devoted to subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysms and A VMs which were discussed under about 14 headings each. But vein of Galen malformations, dural A VMs, cavernous angiomas and venous angiomas (renamed developmental venous anomalies) came under scrutiny, not always with consensus. Trends are perceptible such as fibrinolysis of subarachnoid clot, non surgery for Galenic and dural malforma tions, the benignity of venous angioma, but there is still much variation in approach, pharmacologically, technically and with such as the evolving endovascular and radiosurgical stories, used alone or in conjunction."

Tumours of the central nervous system in infancy and childhood show so many di verse pathomorphological characteristics and present so many diagnostic problems that a congress dealing specifically with the subject and thus bringing together a wide range of experts in the field seemed called for. The programme of the congress, . held in Mainz between 22 and 24 October 1981, was designed to provide compre hensive coverage of diagnosis and the various therapeutic procedures, as well as of basic research in the field. The various lectures given are contained in this book, which thus reflects the complete spectrum of topics discussed. The interest generated by the congress amply justified our decision to organize it. Representatives of various specialities, such as neuropathology, paediatrics, on cology, radiology, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery and neurology, and, last but not least, basic research, provided lively and interesting lectures which admittedly raised more problems than they solved. In addition to the actual papers presented, we attached considerable importance to the different opinions voiced during the congress, as reflected in the discussions included at the end of each chapter."