During the last few years stereotactic radiosurgery has become a partner of equal rank within the discipline of neurosurgery. Today it is regarded as being of the same importance as microsurgery and endovascular neurosurgery, branches which have also progressed rapidly in recent years. Breakthrough success, however, requires a combined effort of all partners involved. The editors have brought together leading experts in the fields of neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, neuropathology, neuroanatomy, radiation oncology, and biophysics to discuss indications and therapeutic strategies in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations and intracranial tumors and to find a common basis for their future work.

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.

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 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."

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 scope and complexity of this topic, it is not possible to cover every aspect of it here: hence, discussion is limited to the impact on personality of injuries, language, epilepsy and psychosurgery. However, before considering the medical aspects, it was deemed necessary to try and arrive at a definition of "personality." This question was discussed by a number of philosophers representing various perspectives. Their diversity of viewpoints and conceptions greatly enriched the discussions.

Cervical Spine Research Society European Branch "The Cervical Spine Research Society is an organization of individuals interested in clinical and research problems of the cervical spine. Its purpose is for the exchange and development of ideas and philosophy regarding the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine injury and disease. The com position of the membership should reflect the varying specialities and disciplines dealing with the cervical spine; biochemical, engineering, neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, orthopedic surgery and others," wrote J. William Fielding, New York City, one of the Society'S founding members. In 1984 the membership list contained 118 names. The overwhelming majority of members came from the United States, four from Canada and 9 Europeans, amongst them Mario Boni. He was the organizer, in con junction with the members of the Cervical Spine Research Society, of a splendid "International Meeting for the updating on pathology and surgery Preface VI of the cervical spine" held in Pavia (Italy) in May 1982. It was from this meeting that the idea of a European branch of the Society first originated, with the purpose of establishing multi-disciplinary meetings in Europe. The first meeting of the European branch was organized by A. Weidner in September 1984 in Osnabriick (Federal Republic of Germany). Mario Boni was elected president. He was not only the initiator but also the drivinglorce who tirelessly promoted the development of the European branch. Mario Boni's death in 1986 at the age of 64 was a great loss to us."

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."

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."

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 scientists, to provide "state of the art" assessment of the subject and to highlight areas of controversy that may be suitable for future research. A special effort is made to identify younger neurosurgeons through the auspices of the European Directory of Neurosurgical Research, who have a particular interest in the subject under discussion, not all of whom will have immediate access to the most advanced, modern technology. The topic of Neuroendocrinology was chosen because clinically it is an area of controversy that should be amenable to application of new techniques, including molecular biology. There is a tendency on the part of Endocrinologists not to appreciate always that disturbances seen by Neurosurgeons may be different and need special attention. Inevitably there has been a little delay in publication of the manuscripts but these have been updated appropriately.

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.

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhages are the most dangerous complication of cerebral vascular disease. Because of their frequency and the fact that they lead to serious injuries, prolonged disabilities and, often, death, they have acquired an enormous significance, both medically and socially. Their precise diagnosis, location, wide extent and accomp ying manifestations were for a very long time uncertain and, in small and deeply situated haematomas, these factors were impossible to determine. Diagnosis was confirmed by the clinical picture, by angiography and sometimes by ventriculography and included, in the main, both lobar and more extensive haematomas. The results of operative treatment following the first attempt of H. Cushing in 1903 were poor and remained unsatisfactory in spite of the endeavours of numerous authors (Guillaume et al. 1956; Lazorthes 1956; McKissock et al. 1959; Luessenhop 1967 and many others). Especially for the most frequent and typically hypertensive haematomas in the region of the internal, capsule, the opinion was often expressed that operative treatment was useless.

Up until two decades ago, clinical interest in the etiopathogenetic interpretation of lumbo-radicular syndromes was prevalently concentrated on the pathology of the inter vertebral disc. This vision gradually changed and grew as a result of the affirmation of the concept of pathological narrowing of the osteoligamentous vertebral canal as a cause of compression of the lumbar nervous structures. Finally, in the last ten years, lumbar stenosis has become more and more a subject of current interest not only as a result of problems related to nosography, diagnosis, and therapy, but also as a result of the increasing frequency with which vertebral canal or nerve root canal stenosis syndromes are recognized and treated. At the same time there was a tendency to include in stenotic pathology other pathological conditions responsible for lumbo-radicular syndromes. This led to dilation of the concept of stenosis, which perhaps no longer responded to reality, and which was not useful from a practical point of view. The need to define stenotic pathology and to correctly locate it within the vast field of lumbar pathology inspired the writing of this volume. This monograph gathers many diagnostic and therapeutic concepts matured at our In stitution over the years. Some of these concepts have already been defined in scientific meet ings or in publications."

Statistically speaking, head and neck cancer per se (excluding melano ma and basal cell carcinoma) does not outwardly seem to pose a serious threat - 27,500/870,000 total cancer cases estimated for 1984 (or 3.2% of all cancers) and 9,350/450,000 total cancer deaths in 1984 (or 2.1 %) for the United States. Yet in clinical practice, by the time that diagnosis is made, more than 60% of oral cancers have already spread to the nearby lymph node system. And while the overall five-year survival rate for localized oral cancer is 67%, this rate decreases drastically to only 25% when the original cancer has metastasized. Scientific textbooks all too often are merely a compilation of dis crete parts, rather than a correlated, integrated whole. Dr. Hamner and his colleagues have achieved such an integrated, succinct version in The Management of Head and Neck Cancer. The outstanding group of contributors bring to the book a wealth of accumulated knowledge and expertise in their various cancer spe cialty disciplines. They are associated with some of the most distin guished cancer centers in the United States.

Various textbooks on stereotactic neurosurgery have been published during the last few years (Riechert 1980, Schaltenbrand and Walker 1982, Spiegel 1982), all of them dealing with functional stereo tactics as the major subject in the field. Diagnostic and therapeutic stereotactic interventions are only briefly described, whereas localization techniques are not yet mentioned. Since 1980, however, an increasing number of reports has been published on CT guided and computer monitored stereotactic performances which enable the surgeon to combine diagnostic and therapeutic efforts in one session. With recent progress in scanning techniques, including high resolution CT, NMR, and PET imaging of the brain, it has become possible to study and localize any brain area of interest. With the concomitant advances in computer technology, 3-dimensional reconstruction of deep seated lesions in stereotactic space is possible and the way is open for combined surgery with stereotactic precision and computer guided open resection. This type of open surgery in stereotactic space is already being developed in some centers with the aid of microsurgical, fiberoptic, and laser beam instrumentation. With these advances stereotactic techniques will rapidly become in tegrated into clinical neurosurgery. Stereotactics has become a metho dology which enables the surgeon to attack deep seated and subcortical small tumors. Neurosurgeons may abandon therapeutic nihilism, still frequently seen in glioma treatment, in the near future when stereotactic resection will be feasible and remaining tumor cells may be killed by adjuvant treatment modalities still in development."

This book is a compilation of scientific papers presented at the Seventh Interna- tional Symposium on Intracranial Pressure and Brain Injury, held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, June 20-23, 1988. The symposium explored both clinical and basic science aspects of intracranial pressure dynamics and their clinical applica- tion. Neuroscientists including neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroanesthesiolo- gists, neuroradiologists, neurochemists, biophysicists and physiologists contrib- uted to the state-of-the-art presentations and discussions. Open exchange of ideas characterized this meeting as it did the initial meeting in Hanover, Germany in 1972 and subsequently at tri-annual meetings in Lund, Sweden; Groningen, Holland; Williamsburg, Virginia; Tokyo, Japan; and Glas- gow, Scotland. The next Intracranial Pressure Symposium, to be held in Rotter- dam, Holland, in 1991, will continue this tradition. The papers in this book have been grouped for the reader's convenience. Clinical and basic science papers focus on the same subject, consequently they appear together. Subjects include monitoring; biophysics; CSF dynamics and hydrocephalus; control of intracranial pressure; trauma, hemorrhage, and in- flammation; free radicals; cerebral perfusion and metabolism; and brain edema. The science of intracranial pressure and its relevance to human illness con- tinues to provide fascination for investigators throughout the world. This book reflects the research of many of them and, hopefully, will stimulate new and innovative inquiries.

The question facing anyone contemplating a book on low back pain is: Why write another book? It is certainly true that there are many books on this topic addressing a wide variety of audiences. Some books are all inclusive and scholarly in nature, others are personal descriptions of diagnostic and treat ment philosophies. This book is a combination of these two extremes. It represents our views on the low back problem, supported by scientific data. Most aspects on back pain presented in this book can be found in other texts. The organization of the material is unique, however. Our approach is to start by listening to and looking at the patient. It becomes apparent, then, that patients can be classified into one of the syn dromes described in chapters 4 through 13. We believe that this syndrome classification, which is quite simple to make clinically, will allow you to diagnose and treat your patients more effectively. To set the stage for the syndrome chapters the first three chapters of the book are generic to the remaining chapters. They reviewe the epidemiology, pathology, biomechan ics, etiologic theory, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities applicable to the low back syndromes. They should be read before the syndrome chap ters. At the end of the book you will find four chapters that are specific to disease entities."

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy is a new surgical method for treating lumbar disc diseases. The goal of the procedure is decompression of the spinal nerve root by percutaneous removal of the nucleus pulposus under local anesthesia. Probably 20 % of all patients requiring lumbar disc surgery can be successfully treated by this method. During the past two years, percutaneous discectomy has spread rapidly, and it is now performed in most clinical departments engaged in spinal surgery. The first International Symposium on Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy, held in Berlin in August 1988, covered all current procedures known as "percutaneous discectomy" and the entire range of percutaneous techniques, both clinical and experimental. Its publication is important because of the recency of this new surgical procedure, the outstanding experience of the speakers - including the Japanese, American, and European "pioneers" of the technique - and last but not least the gaps in the knowledge of physicians concerning this topic. This procedure opens up new perspectives in the surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.

In the last decade there has been a growing interest in the study of the interactions between the heart and the brain, especially in the field of cerebral ischemia. The interactions between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are of relevance not only for research investigation, but also for clinical implications in the daily clinical practice. i.e. A wealth of information has been gathered particularly on three topics, cardiovascular consequences of cerebral injuries, cardioembolic stroke, and association of carotid and coronary artery disease. The available information, however, is still sparse and fragmentary mainly because of the lack of commun ication between neurologists and cardiologists. With the aim of improving communication between several disciplines and technologies, we started to organize since 1987 in Bologna, Italy, an international Symposium on heart brain interactions to be held every 3 years. Our intention was to gather prominent clinicians and researchers from outstanding cardiologic and neuro logic institutions actively involved in the study of heart-brain interactions. The ambitious goal has been to fit different pieces of information like in a puzzle. This book originates from the contributions presented at the 2nd Sympo sium which was held in Bologna on November 30-December 1, 1990. The book is subdivided into three sections: I cardiovascular consequences of cerebral damage, II cardiogenic cerebral ischemia, III cerebrovascular and coronary artery disease."

Recent advances in technology have opened up new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebrospinal vascular diseases. It is now possible to use magnetic resonance imaging to map brain function and metabolism as an aid to diagnosis. Novel applications of magnetic resonance angiography allow three-dimensional imaging, and the magnetization transfer contrast technique gives us a new window on cerebral vascular function. This volume presents work in all these fields as well as previewing the techniques of endovascular surgery for cerebrospinal vascular diseases. These include modern stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations and for angiographically occult vascular malformations of the brain. This book presents an overview of the latest applications of technology to this rapidly developing and challenging field.

The introduction of the operating microscope as a surgical tool revolutionized the treatment of peripheral nerve lesions. A new era thus began in the early 1960s, which led to a substantial improvement in the management of nerve lesions. The results of nerve grafting techniques have demonstrated that, independent of the length of the defect, lesions can be successfully bridged. The free tissue transplants with microvascular anastomosis have also opened new, rewarding possibilities for peripheral nerve reconstruction procedures, facilitating the achievement not only of satisfactory anatomical but also of satisfactory fUhctional results. In order to evaluate the state of the art and reflect retrospectively on 25 years of microneurosurgical treatment of peripheral nerves, numerous outstanding scientists and clinicosurgical physicians were invited to Hanover in order to exchange their viewpoints and experiences. An active und fruitful discussion resulted which dealt with the many aspects of anatomy, pathology, clinical and neuro physiology, diagnosis, and with the surgery and physiotherapy which constitute modern-day peripheral nerve lesion treatment. The excit ing ongoing experimental and clinical activities have led us to support the wish and idea to publish the scientific exchange which took place during the Hanover symposium. I truly believe that the articles presented in this book cover so many interesting subjects concerned with peripheral nerve lesions that the book will serve the interested and dedicated physician involved with such cases as a reference work for the basics and also provide him with the therapeutic guidelines to assist him in his daily work."

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 fust 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 KrayenbUhl. 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 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 fust part of each volume."

The brain stem and cerebellum are structures that have fascinated and puzzled physicians, anatomists, and physio- logists for centuries. Relatively small in volume compared to the much larger and more majestic human cerebrum, and hidden away in relative obscurity in the back of the head under the protection of the bony posterior fossa and the firm dural envelope, the tentorium cerebelli, these critical neural structures defied precise study during life until very recently. Recent advances in brain and vascular imaging and improved understanding of brain-stem reflex and tract functions and their measurement by electrophysiological techniques have presented an opportunity for clinicians and researchers to better study, during life, patients with stroke and other conditions that involve the brain stem and cere- bellum. A congress was held at the Neurology Clinic of the University in Mainz, April 4-5, 1992, during which clinicians and researchers reported and discussed modern topical diagnosis of diseases of the brain stem and cere- bellum. This volume represents the edited proceedings of that congress. Early information about brain stem anatomy and func- tions came from anatomical studies by Ludwig Turk, Paul Flechsig, Rudolph von K6lliker, Karl Burdach, Vladimir Bekterew, and Benedikt Stilling, among others, all working in Germany during the middle years of the nineteenth century. Johann Reil, a German anatomist, in the begin- ning of the nineteenth century had described the structure and some functions of the cerebellum which he called the little brain ("Kleinhirn").

The pioneering work by Pierre Janny and Nils Lundberg added a new tool to the investigative armamentarium of the neurosurgeon: continuous monitor ing of intracranial pressure (ICP). A small group of basic and clinical sci entists recognized the importance of this method and in 1972 an International Symposium was organized by Mario Brock in Hannover, Germany. The workers "of the first hour" had high expectations and thought that the problem of intracranial hypertension could finally be dealt with. The Symposium con tinued to grow during subsequent meetings in Lund (1974), Groningen (1976) and Williamsburg (1979). However, the advent of the modern imaging tech niques of CT and MRI have dramatically changed the scene in clinical neurology and neurosurgery. These new methods as well as other monitoring techniques have put ICP in its proper place as just one of the many aspects, albeit an important one, in the management of patients with intracranial space-occupying lesions. The symposia in Tokyo (1982), Glasgow (1985) and Ann Arbor (1988) confirmed the steady interest in ICP recording, both as a research tool and as a clinical method. and yielded many new developments in the field of ICP. This book comprises the proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Intracranial Pressure that was held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from June 16th to 20th, 1991."

The aim of this volume is to provide an illustrated overview of basic knowledge relevant to neurosurgery for students specializing in neurosurgery, operating room personnel, and neurologists seeking to inform themselves about surgical principles and applications. The major aspects of neurosurgery are presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form. Summaries are included of: neuroanatomy; neurologic syndromes, functional diseases, and traumas treatable through neurosurgery; physiologic and pathologic events occurring during neurosurgery. The principles of neurologic examination and diagnosis as well as supplementary diagnostic modalities are discussed from a neurosurgical perspective. The book can thus be used as an aid for quick bedside diagnosis and patient management and as a handy reference companion.

The 4th Advanced Seminar in Neurosurgical Research was held on May 17th-18th, 1989 in the Abbey of Praglia, a XIIth century Benedictine Monastery, near Padua, Italy, and was devoted to "Neurosurgical Aspects of Epilepsy." The general aim of these Advanced Seminars is to bring together European Neurosurgeons interested or involved in research, 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 scientists, to provide "state of the art" assessment of the subject and to highlight areas of controversy that might be suitable for future research. A special effort is made to identify younger Neurosurgeons, partly through the auspices of the European Directory of Neurosurgical Research, who have a particular interest in the subject under discussion, not all of whom will have immediate access to the most advanced, modern technology. Surgical treatment of epilepsy is an expanding area of endeavour and an expertise that remains underutilized in many countries. The programme for this Seminar was designed to paint the broad background, moving from basic membrane electrophysiology through to cost benefit analysis and rehabilitation. The perspectives of neu ropathology, neurology, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, neuropsychology, neurophysiology and the drug in dustry are all included."