More than 40 years ago British and German neurosurgeons met in Berlin and Breslau to exchange their experiences, to strengthen their friendly bonds, and to enjoy the attractions of both cities and their surroundings. In 1960 a joint meeting of the Dutch and German societies took place in Rotterdam by invitation of the Nederlandse Vereniging van Neurochirurgen. All who attended this meeting thankfully remember the great hospitality during these unforgettable days. In 1970, by courtesy of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons, German neurosurgeons had the pleasure to become acquainted with the great tradition of British sciences at one of the most famous places during the meeting in Cambridge. These impressions were deepened by visits to other famous sources of British scientific tradition during the European Congress in Oxford in 1975. The critical distance sometimes necessary towards our own discipline is implicit in the major themes of this meeting. Complications following shunting procedures for hydrocephalus have been discussed on the basis of the results of a cooperative study of some German neurosurgical departments. The second main topic was problems and diagnostic errors in computer tomography. The papers presented contain critical considerations about the findings obtained by this method, as well as on its possibilities and limitations. German neurosurgeons felt deeply indebted to their British and Dutch colleagues and wanted to return their kindness at this joint meeting in Berlin. We hope that all participants will retain pleasant memories of the days in this city.

This 14th volume of Advanaes in Neurosurgery includes the papers presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery in Berlin, May 12-15, 1985. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the program committee of the Society, Priv.-Doz. Dr. Klinger, Professors Brock, Dietz, Frowein, Lausberg, Wlillenweber, and Dr. Reuter for their assistance in selecting the contributions and in organizing the scientific program. The first main topic of the meeting was Spinal Cord Tumors. Introductory lectures dealing with basic anatomic knowledge, neuropathological as pects, and neurologic problems were followed by reports on examinations using conventional neuroradiology, scintiscanning, computer tomography as well as the most recent method in the diagnosis of spinal tumors, the magnetic resonance tomography. Also presented were the results of a multicentered study on spinal tumors, ascertained in cooperation with 43 German and Austrian neurosurgical clinics. The participants reported in great detail on the statistical data they recorded from 3056 cases and on the scientific findings obtained from this study. The session concluded with lectures on the possibilities for surgical treatment of spinal tumors and on oncologic and radiotherapeutic mea sures. E: x: perimental Neurosurgery was the second main topic. Leading authorities in the field presented interesting papers on topics such as the therapy of vasculogenetic brain edema, the determination of neurotransmitters in brain tumors, results of cerebral blood flow measurement, and im proved operative techniques using laser radiation."