The 17th volume of the "Advances in Neurosurgery" contains a selection of the scientific reports of the 39th annual meeting of the German Society for Neurosurgery, which was held in Cologne from May 8-11, 1988. The first section deals in particular with the "long-term results of severe head " "injuries," as well as with problems of the acute traumatic hematomas and brain edema. The second section covers "microsurgical experiences." Attention is focused on the anatomy and operative technique for lesions in and around the "jugular foramen" and the craniospinal transition. The third section describes the special new results of "brain " "death determination." Beyond this, numerous contributions on clinical and research results were presented in a poster exhibition which was systematically studied in order to give younger neurosurgeons the opportunity for extensive discussion. The volume contains new information which will bring specialists up-to-date on the latest clinical and research developments in the field.