State-of-the-art Wellknown experts Collection of papers on one topic The contributions in this volume cover recent advances and changing concepts on diagnosis and treatment of resistant epilepsy in children. Topics treated are new insights on mechanisms of epileptogenesis in developing brain, multimodality imaging in pediatric intractable epilepsy, pediatric intractable epilepsy syndromes, pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy surgery, critical review of palliative surgical techniques for intractable epilepsy, treatment modalities for intractable epilepsy in hypothalamic hemartomas, contemporary management of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis.

Targeted at clinicians and residents, this series has already become a classic, with one volume published each year. The Advances section presents fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent progress has been made. The Technical Standards section features detailed descriptions of standard procedures to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. The contributions have been written by experienced clinicians and are reviewed by all members of the editorial board.

The latest in this already classic series presents recent progress and detailed descriptions of standard procedures, to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. With contributions from experienced European and American clinicians.

This dedicated volume in the series Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery (ATSN) provides a comprehensive approach to diseases of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) and their management based on the multidisciplinary cooperation of neurosurgeons, anatomists, neuroradiologists, and neuroanesthesiologists. The contributing authors represent the most renowned clinical and surgical experts from Europe and beyond. The main topics highlighted are embryology, normal and abnormal development of the CVJ, including the related vessels, modern radiological contributions to diagnosis, genetic and metabolic factors which may impact on the surgical strategies, the opportunities offered by traditional operative techniques, and the recently introduced minimally invasive and endoscopic surgical modalities. Special emphasis is also placed on the evolution of the principles of surgical treatment as matured during the past decade by experiences in the still open field of pediatric neurosurgery."

Advances: H. Duffau: Subpial dissection and subcortical mapping with vasculature and white matter pathways preservation in surgery for brain (low grade) gliomas. - F. Scholtes, G. Brook, D. Martin: Spinal cord injury and its treatment: current management and experimental perspectives. - M. Sindou, M. Messerer, J. Alvernia, G. Saint-Pierre: Percutaneous Biopsy through the Foramen Ovale for Parasellar lesions: Surgical anatomy, Method and Indications. - Technical Standards: C. Raftopoulos, F. Waterkeyn, E. Fomekong, T. Duprez: Percutaneous pedicle screw implantation with robotic intraoperative 2D/3D fluoroscopy for refractory low back pain. I. Zemmoura, S. Velut, P. Francois: The choroidal fissure: anatomy and surgical implications. I. Timofeev, T. Santarius, A.G. Kolias, P.J.A. Hutchinson: Decompressive craniectomy operative technique and perioperative care. - S Fauser, J Zentner: Management of complex cortical dysplasia in epilepsy

"

Detecting residual cognitive function in disorders of consciousness (M. R. COLEMAN, J. D. PICKARD).- Rationale for hypothalamus-deep brain stimulation in food intake disorders and obesity (N. TORRES, S. CHABARDEES, A. L. BENABID).- Gustatory and reward brain circuits in the control of food intake (A. J. OLIVEIRA-MAIA, C. D. ROBERTS, S. A. SIMON, M. A. L. NICOLELIS).- SEEG-guided RF-thermocoagulation of epileptic foci: A therapeutic alternative for drug-resistant non-operable partial epilepsies (M. GU NOT, J. ISNARD, H. CATENOIX, F. MAUGUIERE, M. SINDOU).- Child abuse some aspects for neurosurgeons (B. MADEA, M. NOEKER, I. FRANKE.- Prophylactic antibiotics and anticonvulsants in neurosurgery (B. RATILAL, C. SAMPAIO).- The dural sheath of the optic nerve: descriptive anatomy and surgical applications (P. FRANCOIS, E. LESCANNE, S. VELUT) -Surgical indications and techniques for failed coiled aneurysms (C. RAFTOPOULOS; with the collaboration of G. VAZ).

Advances
J. Maarrawi, P. Mertens, R. Peyron, L. Garcia-Larrea, M. Sindou: Functional exploration for neuropathic pain. - Z. H. Rappaport: The neuroscientific foundations of free will. - A. Hejcl, P. Jendelova, E. Sykova: Experimental reconstruction of the injured spinal cord. - M. Visocchi: Advances in video-assisted anterior surgical approach to the craniovertebral junction.
Technical Standards
N. Akalan: Myelomeningocele (Open spina bifida): Surgical management. - M. Stoffel, C. St er, F. Ringel, B. Meyer: Treatment of infections of the spine. - I. Massimi, F. Novegno, C. di Rocco: Chiari Type 1 malformation in children.

Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery was conceived in 1972byitsfoundingfathersJeanBrihaye,BernardPertuiset,FritzLoew andHugoKrayenbuuhlatacombinedmeetingoftheItalianandGerman NeurosurgicalSocietiesinTaormina. Itwasdesignedtocomplementthe Europeanpost-graduatetrainingsystemforyoungneurosurgeonsandwas ?rst published in 1974 initially through sponsorship by the European AssociationofNeurosurgicalSocieties. Allcontributionshavebeenp- lishedinEnglishtofacilitateinternationalunderstanding. Theambitionofallsuccessiveeditorialboardshasbeentoprovidean opportunityformaturescholarshipandre?ection,notconstrainedbyar- ?ciallimitsonspace. Theseriesprovidesaremarkableaccountofprogress overthepast35years,bothwithregardtoadvances,detaileddescriptions of standard operative procedures and in- depth reviews of established knowledge. Thepresentvolumeisnoexceptionandshouldappealtoboth experiencedneurosurgeonsandyoungneurosurgeonsintrainingalike. TheEditors Contents Listofcontributors...XIII Advances Present and potential future adjuvant issues in high-grade astrocytic glioma 1,2 1 1 2 1 treatment. F. LEFRANC ,M. RYNKOWSKI,O. DEWITTE,andR. KISS, Department ofNeurosurgery,ErasmeUniversityHospital,FreeUniversityofBrussels(U. L. B. ), 2 Brussels,Belgium, LaboratoryofToxicology,InstituteofPharmacy,FreeUniversity ofBrussels(U. L. B. ),Brussels,Belgium Abstract...4 Introduction...5 Naturalresistanceofmigratingmalignantgliomacellstoapoptosis (radiotherapyandchemotherapy)...6 Patternsofcelldeath...8 Autophagy:apotentialTrojanhorseformalignantgliomas...11 Therapeuticbene?tsoftemozolomide...13 Localtherapiesforglioblastomas...15 Ongoingclinicaltrialsforglioblastomas...16 Growthfactorreceptorinhibitors ...17 PI3K=Akt,mTORandNF- Binhibitors...17 Matrixmetalloproteinase(MMP)inhibitors(MMPI)...18 Angiogenesistargeting ...19 Cellularandvaccinationtherapies...20 Genetherapy...20 Reducingmalignantgliomacellmotilityinordertorestore pro-apoptoticdrugsensitivity...20 Thesodiumpumpconstitutesapotentialtargettocombat malignantgliomas...21 Thesodiumpump...22 Cardiotonicsteroids:ligandsofthesodiumpump...24 VIII Contents Thesodiumpumpisinvolvedincancercellproliferation, migrationanddeath...24 Braintumorstemcellsapotentialtargettocombatmalignantgliomas...26 Conclusions...27 References...2 8 Deepbrainstimulationforpsychiatricdisorders-stateoftheart. T. E. SCHLA APFER and B. H. BEWERNICK, Brain Stimulation Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,UniversityHospitalBonn,GermanyandDepartmentsofPsychiatry andMentalHealth,TheJohnsHopkinsUniversity,MD,USA Abstract...37 Introduction...38 Historyofdeepbrainstimulation...39 PrinciplesofDBS...40 NeurobiologyofdepressionandOCD...41 Neurobiologyofdepression...41 NeurobiologyofOCD...42 StudiesofDBSandpsychiatricdisorders...43 Problemsintargetselection...43 Targetsindepression...43 TargetsinOCD ...46 SafetyandadvantagesofDBS...47 EthicalaspectsandstandardsinDBS...51 Ethicalconsiderations...51 ThepathtowardsmandatorystandardsforDBSinpsychiatricdisorders...52 Conclusions...53 ThefutureofDBS...54 References...54 Standards High?owextracranialtointracranialvascularbypassprocedureforgiantan- rysms:indications,surgicaltechnique,complicationsandoutcome. H. C. PATEL and P. J. KIRKPATRICK, Department of Academic Neurosurgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital,UniversityofCambridge,Cambridge,UK Abstract...61 Introduction...62 Surgicaltechnique...67 Cranialexposure...69 Cervicalexposure...70 Saphenousveinexposure...71 Preauriculartunnel...7 2 Contents IX Anastamoses...73 Distalanastamosis...73 Externalcarotidanastamosis...74 Closureandpostoperativecare...77 Discussion...77 Comparisonofoutcomes...77 Choosingthetypeofgraft...78 Longtermpatencyofgrafts...79 Ischaemiccomplications...79 Anticoagulationrelatedmorbidity...81 Conclusion...

This series has already become a classic. In general, one volume is published per year. The advances section presents fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent progress has been made. The technical standards section features detailed descriptions of standard procedures to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. The contributions are written by experienced clinicians and are reviewed by all members of the editorial board.

The contributions in this volume cover recent advances and changing concepts on diagnosis and treatment of resistant epilepsy in children. Topics treated are new insights on mechanisms of epileptogenesis in developing brain, multimodality imaging in pediatric intractable epilepsy, pediatric intractable epilepsy syndromes, pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy surgery, critical review of palliative surgical techniques for intractable epilepsy, treatment modalities for intractable epilepsy in hypothalamic hamartomas, contemporary management of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis.

Advances: H. Duffau: Subpial dissection and subcortical mapping with vasculature and white matter pathways preservation in surgery for brain (low grade) gliomas. - F. Scholtes, G. Brook, D. Martin: Spinal cord injury and its treatment: current management and experimental perspectives. - M. Sindou, M. Messerer, J. Alvernia, G. Saint-Pierre: Percutaneous Biopsy through the Foramen Ovale for Parasellar lesions: Surgical anatomy, Method and Indications. - Technical Standards: C. Raftopoulos, F. Waterkeyn, E. Fomekong, T. Duprez: Percutaneous pedicle screw implantation with robotic intraoperative 2D/3D fluoroscopy for refractory low back pain. I. Zemmoura, S. Velut, P. Francois: The choroidal fissure: anatomy and surgical implications. I. Timofeev, T. Santarius, A.G. Kolias, P.J.A. Hutchinson: Decompressive craniectomy operative technique and perioperative care. - S Fauser, J Zentner: Management of complex cortical dysplasia in epilepsy

"

Detecting residual cognitive function in disorders of consciousness (M. R. COLEMAN, J. D. PICKARD).- Rationale for hypothalamus-deep brain stimulation in food intake disorders and obesity (N. TORRES, S. CHABARDEES, A. L. BENABID).- Gustatory and reward brain circuits in the control of food intake (A. J. OLIVEIRA-MAIA, C. D. ROBERTS, S. A. SIMON, M. A. L. NICOLELIS).- SEEG-guided RF-thermocoagulation of epileptic foci: A therapeutic alternative for drug-resistant non-operable partial epilepsies (M. GUENOT, J. ISNARD, H. CATENOIX, F. MAUGUIERE, M. SINDOU).- Child abuse - some aspects for neurosurgeons (B. MADEA, M. NOEKER, I. FRANKE.- Prophylactic antibiotics and anticonvulsants in neurosurgery (B. RATILAL, C. SAMPAIO).- The dural sheath of the optic nerve: descriptive anatomy and surgical applications (P. FRANCOIS, E. LESCANNE, S. VELUT) -Surgical indications and techniques for failed coiled aneurysms (C. RAFTOPOULOS; with the collaboration of G. VAZ).

The latest in this already classic series presents recent progress and detailed descriptions of standard procedures, to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. With contributions from experienced European and American clinicians.

Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery was conceived in 1972byitsfoundingfathersJeanBrihaye,BernardPertuiset,FritzLoew andHugoKrayenbuuhlatacombinedmeetingoftheItalianandGerman NeurosurgicalSocietiesinTaormina. Itwasdesignedtocomplementthe Europeanpost-graduatetrainingsystemforyoungneurosurgeonsandwas ?rst published in 1974 initially through sponsorship by the European AssociationofNeurosurgicalSocieties. Allcontributionshavebeenp- lishedinEnglishtofacilitateinternationalunderstanding. Theambitionofallsuccessiveeditorialboardshasbeentoprovidean opportunityformaturescholarshipandre?ection,notconstrainedbyar- ?ciallimitsonspace. Theseriesprovidesaremarkableaccountofprogress overthepast35years,bothwithregardtoadvances,detaileddescriptions of standard operative procedures and in- depth reviews of established knowledge. Thepresentvolumeisnoexceptionandshouldappealtoboth experiencedneurosurgeonsandyoungneurosurgeonsintrainingalike. TheEditors Contents Listofcontributors...XIII Advances Present and potential future adjuvant issues in high-grade astrocytic glioma 1,2 1 1 2 1 treatment. F. LEFRANC ,M. RYNKOWSKI,O. DEWITTE,andR. KISS, Department ofNeurosurgery,ErasmeUniversityHospital,FreeUniversityofBrussels(U. L. B. ), 2 Brussels,Belgium, LaboratoryofToxicology,InstituteofPharmacy,FreeUniversity ofBrussels(U. L. B. ),Brussels,Belgium Abstract...4 Introduction...5 Naturalresistanceofmigratingmalignantgliomacellstoapoptosis (radiotherapyandchemotherapy)...6 Patternsofcelldeath...8 Autophagy:apotentialTrojanhorseformalignantgliomas...11 Therapeuticbene?tsoftemozolomide...13 Localtherapiesforglioblastomas...15 Ongoingclinicaltrialsforglioblastomas...16 Growthfactorreceptorinhibitors ...17 PI3K=Akt,mTORandNF- Binhibitors...17 Matrixmetalloproteinase(MMP)inhibitors(MMPI)...18 Angiogenesistargeting ...19 Cellularandvaccinationtherapies...20 Genetherapy...20 Reducingmalignantgliomacellmotilityinordertorestore pro-apoptoticdrugsensitivity...20 Thesodiumpumpconstitutesapotentialtargettocombat malignantgliomas...21 Thesodiumpump...22 Cardiotonicsteroids:ligandsofthesodiumpump...24 VIII Contents Thesodiumpumpisinvolvedincancercellproliferation, migrationanddeath...24 Braintumorstemcellsapotentialtargettocombatmalignantgliomas...26 Conclusions...27 References...2 8 Deepbrainstimulationforpsychiatricdisorders-stateoftheart. T. E. SCHLA APFER and B. H. BEWERNICK, Brain Stimulation Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,UniversityHospitalBonn,GermanyandDepartmentsofPsychiatry andMentalHealth,TheJohnsHopkinsUniversity,MD,USA Abstract...37 Introduction...38 Historyofdeepbrainstimulation...39 PrinciplesofDBS...40 NeurobiologyofdepressionandOCD...41 Neurobiologyofdepression...41 NeurobiologyofOCD...42 StudiesofDBSandpsychiatricdisorders...43 Problemsintargetselection...43 Targetsindepression...43 TargetsinOCD ...46 SafetyandadvantagesofDBS...47 EthicalaspectsandstandardsinDBS...51 Ethicalconsiderations...51 ThepathtowardsmandatorystandardsforDBSinpsychiatricdisorders...52 Conclusions...53 ThefutureofDBS...54 References...54 Standards High?owextracranialtointracranialvascularbypassprocedureforgiantan- rysms:indications,surgicaltechnique,complicationsandoutcome. H. C. PATEL and P. J. KIRKPATRICK, Department of Academic Neurosurgery, Addenbrooke' andHugoKrayenbuuhlatacombinedmeetingoftheItalianandGerman NeurosurgicalSocietiesinTaormina. Itwasdesignedtocomplementthe Europeanpost-graduatetrainingsystemforyoungneurosurgeonsandwas ?rst published in 1974 initially through sponsorship by the European AssociationofNeurosurgicalSocieties. Allcontributionshavebeenp- lishedinEnglishtofacilitateinternationalunderstanding. Theambitionofallsuccessiveeditorialboardshasbeentoprovidean opportunityformaturescholarshipandre?ection,notconstrainedbyar- ?ciallimitsonspace. Theseriesprovidesaremarkableaccountofprogress overthepast35years,bothwithregardtoadvances,detaileddescriptions of standard operative procedures and in- depth reviews of established knowledge. Thepresentvolumeisnoexceptionandshouldappealtoboth experiencedneurosurgeonsandyoungneurosurgeonsintrainingalike. TheEditors Contents Listofcontributors...XIII Advances Present and potential future adjuvant issues in high-grade astrocytic glioma 1,2 1 1 2 1 treatment. F. LEFRANC ,M. RYNKOWSKI,O. DEWITTE,andR. KISS, Department ofNeurosurgery,ErasmeUniversityHospital,FreeUniversityofBrussels(U. L. B. ), 2 Brussels,Belgium, LaboratoryofToxicology,InstituteofPharmacy,FreeUniversity ofBrussels(U. L. B. ),Brussels,Belgium Abstract...4 Introduction...5 Naturalresistanceofmigratingmalignantgliomacellstoapoptosis (radiotherapyandchemotherapy)...6 Patternsofcelldeath...8 Autophagy:apotentialTrojanhorseformalignantgliomas...11 Therapeuticbene?tsoftemozolomide...1 3 Localtherapiesforglioblastomas...15 Ongoingclinicaltrialsforglioblastomas...16 Growthfactorreceptorinhibitors ...17 PI3K=Akt,mTORandNF- Binhibitors...17 Matrixmetalloproteinase(MMP)inhibitors(MMPI)...18 Angiogenesistargeting ...19 Cellularandvaccinationtherapies...20 Genetherapy...20 Reducingmalignantgliomacellmotilityinordertorestore pro-apoptoticdrugsensitivity...20 Thesodiumpumpconstitutesapotentialtargettocombat malignantgliomas...21 Thesodiumpump...22 Cardiotonicsteroids:ligandsofthesodiumpump...24 VIII Contents Thesodiumpumpisinvolvedincancercellproliferation, migrationanddeath...24 Braintumorstemcellsapotentialtargettocombatmalignantgliomas...26 Conclusions...27 References...28 EURO Deepbrainstimulationforpsychiatricdisorders-stateoftheart. T. E. SCHLA APFER and B. H. BEWERNICK, Brain Stimulation Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,UniversityHospitalBonn,GermanyandDepartmentsofPsychiatry andMentalHealth,TheJohnsHopkinsUniversity,MD,USA Abstract...37 Introduction...38 Historyofdeepbrainstimulation...39 PrinciplesofDBS...40 NeurobiologyofdepressionandOCD...41 Neurobiologyofdepression...41 NeurobiologyofOCD...42 StudiesofDBSandpsychiatricdisorders...4 3 Problemsintargetselection...43 Targetsindepression...43 TargetsinOCD ...46 SafetyandadvantagesofDBS...47 EthicalaspectsandstandardsinDBS...51 Ethicalconsiderations...51 ThepathtowardsmandatorystandardsforDBSinpsychiatricdisorders...52 Conclusions...53 ThefutureofDBS...54 References...54 Standards High?owextracranialtointracranialvascularbypassprocedureforgiantan- rysms:indications,surgicaltechnique,complicationsandoutcome. H. C. PATEL and P. J. KIRKPATRICK, Department of Academic Neurosurgery, Addenbrooke' andHugoKrayenbuuhlatacombinedmeetingoftheItalianandGerman NeurosurgicalSocietiesinTaormina. Itwasdesignedtocomplementthe Europeanpost-graduatetrainingsystemforyoungneurosurgeonsandwas ?rst published in 1974 initially through sponsorship by the European AssociationofNeurosurgicalSocieties. Allcontributionshavebeenp- lishedinEnglishtofacilitateinternationalunderstanding. Theambitionofallsuccessiveeditorialboardshasbeentoprovidean opportunityformaturescholarshipandre?ection,notconstrainedbyar- ?ciallimitsonspace. Theseriesprovidesaremarkableaccountofprogress overthepast35years,bothwithregardtoadvances,detaileddescriptions of standard operative procedures and in- depth reviews of established knowledge. Thepresentvolumeisnoexceptionandshouldappealtoboth experiencedneurosurgeonsandyoungneurosurgeonsintrainingalike. TheEditors Contents Listofcontributors...XIII Advances Present and potential future adjuvant issues in high-grade astrocytic glioma 1,2 1 1 2 1 treatment. F. LEFRANC ,M. RYNKOWSKI,O. DEWITTE,andR. KISS, Department ofNeurosurgery,ErasmeUniversityHospital,FreeUniversityofBrussels(U. L. B. ), 2 Brussels,Belgium, LaboratoryofToxicology,InstituteofPharmacy,FreeUniversity ofBrussels(U. L. B. ),Brussels,Belgium Abstract...4 Introduction...5 Naturalresistanceofmigratingmalignantgliomacellstoapoptosis (radiotherapyandchemotherapy)...6 Patternsofcelldeath...8 Autophagy:apotentialTrojanhorseformalignantgliomas...11 Therapeuticbene?tsoftemozolomide...13 Localtherapiesforglioblastomas...15 Ongoingclinicaltrialsforglioblastomas...16 Growthfactorreceptorinhibitors ...17 PI3K=Akt,mTORandNF- Binhibitors...17 Matrixmetalloproteinase(MMP)inhibitors(MMPI)...18 Angiogenesistargeting ...1 9 Cellularandvaccinationtherapies...20 Genetherapy...20 Reducingmalignantgliomacellmotilityinordertorestore pro-apoptoticdrugsensitivity...20 Thesodiumpumpconstitutesapotentialtargettocombat malignantgliomas...21 Thesodiumpump...22 Cardiotonicsteroids:ligandsofthesodiumpump...24 VIII Contents Thesodiumpumpisinvolvedincancercellproliferation, migrationanddeath...24 Braintumorstemcellsapotentialtargettocombatmalignantgliomas...26 Conclusions...27 References...28 EURO Deepbrainstimulationforpsychiatricdisorders-stateoftheart. T. E. SCHLA APFER and B. H. BEWERNICK, Brain Stimulation Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,UniversityHospitalBonn,GermanyandDepartmentsofPsychiatry andMentalHealth,TheJohnsHopkinsUniversity,MD,USA Abstract...37 Introduction...38 Historyofdeepbrainstimulation...39 PrinciplesofDBS...40 NeurobiologyofdepressionandOCD...41 Neurobiologyofdepression...41 NeurobiologyofOCD...42 StudiesofDBSandpsychiatricdisorders...43 Problemsintargetselection...43 Targetsindepression...43 TargetsinOCD ...46 SafetyandadvantagesofDBS...47 EthicalaspectsandstandardsinDBS...51 Ethicalconsiderations...51 ThepathtowardsmandatorystandardsforDBSinpsychiatricdisorders...5 2 Conclusions...53 ThefutureofDBS...54 References...54 Standards High?owextracranialtointracranialvascularbypassprocedureforgiantan- rysms:indications,surgicaltechnique,complicationsandoutcome. H. C. PATEL and P. J. KIRKPATRICK, Department of Academic Neurosurgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital,UniversityofCambridge,Cambridge,UK Abstract...61 Introduction...62 Surgicaltechnique...67 Cranialexposure...69 Cervicalexposure...70 Saphenousveinexposure...71 Preauriculartunnel...72 Contents IX Anastamoses...73 Distalanastamosis...73 Externalcarotidanastamosis...74 Closureandpostoperativecare...77 Discussion...77 Comparisonofoutcomes...77 Choosingthetypeofgraft...78 Longtermpatencyofgrafts...79 Ischaemiccomplications...79 Anticoagulationrelatedmorbidity...81 Conclusion...

This series has already become a classic. In general, one volume is published per year. The advances section presents fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent progress has been made. The technical standards section features detailed descriptions of standard procedures to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. The contributions are written by experienced clinicians and are reviewed by all members of the editorial board.

Targeted at clinicians and residents, this series has already become a classic, with one volume published each year. The Advances section presents fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent progress has been made. The Technical Standards section features detailed descriptions of standard procedures to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. The contributions have been written by experienced clinicians and are reviewed by all members of the editorial board.

This series has already become a classic. In general, one volume is published per year. The advances section presents fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent progress has been made. The technical standards section features detailed descriptions of standard procedures to assist young neurosurgeons in their post-graduate training. The contributions are written by experienced clinicians and are reviewed by all members of the editorial board.

S. Price: Advances in imaging low-grade gliomas - M. J. Riemenschneider, G. Riefenberger: Molecular neuropathology of low-grade gliomas and its clinical impact - I . R. Whittle: What is the place of conservative management for adult supratentorial low-grade glioma - D. Kurzwelly, U. Herrlinger, M. Simon: Seizures in patients with low-grade gliomas -- incidence, pathogenesis, surgical management, and pharmacotherapy - L. Bello et al: Present day's standards in microsurgery of low-grade gliomas - B. Baumert and R. Stupp: Is there a place for radiotherapy in low-grade gliomas? - F. W. Kreth et al: The place of interstitial brachytherapy and radiosurgery for low-grade gliomas - M. Klein: Health- related quality of life aspects in patients with low-grade glioma.

Advances J. Maarrawi, P. Mertens, R. Peyron, L. Garcia-Larrea, M. Sindou: Functional exploration for neuropathic pain. - Z. H. Rappaport: The neuroscientific foundations of free will. - A. Hejcl, P. Jendelova, E. Sykova: Experimental reconstruction of the injured spinal cord. - M. Visocchi: Advances in video-assisted anterior surgical approach to the craniovertebral junction. Technical Standards N. Akalan: Myelomeningocele (Open spina bifida): Surgical management. - M. Stoffel, C. Stuer, F. Ringel, B. Meyer: Treatment of infections of the spine. - I. Massimi, F. Novegno, C. di Rocco: Chiari Type 1 malformation in children.