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...
A. Advances.- Proton Spectroscopic Imaging in Cerebral Ischaemia, Where we Stand and What Can Be Expected.- Historical Overview.- Methodology of Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS).- General Aspects.- Water Suppression.- Fat Suppression.- Localization.- Spectroscopic Imaging.- Quantification of Spectra.- Pulse Sequence and Computer Analysis.- Materials and Methods.- H-1 MR Spectroscopic Measurements; Data Accumulation.- H-1 MR Spectroscopic Measurements; Data Processing.- Patient Material.- Results.- Discussion.- Abbreviations.- References.- Radiosurgery.- History.- Radiosurgery Systems. Tools and Methods.- The Gamma Knife.- Radiosurgery with Heavy Particles.- Radiosurgery with Photons from Linear Accelerator.- Radiobiological Principles in Radiosurgery.- Dose-rate Effects.- Radiosensitivity of Vessels.- Biological and Chemical Modification of the Radiation Response.- Radiosurgery with the Gamma Knife.- Method.- Angiography.- CT and MRI Imaging.- Dose Planning.- Dose Selection.- Gamma Knife in Arteriovenous Malformations.- Decision Making.- The Target.- Patient Population.- AVM Location.- The Procedure. Pre- and Peri-treatment Management.- Follow-up.- Treatment Variables.- Results.- Changes in the Angiogram.- Neurological Outcome.- Rebleed.- Undue Effects.- Cavernous Hemangiomas.- Linear Accelerator in Arteriovenous Malformations.- Charged-particle Radiosurgery in Arteriovenous Malformations.- Discussion.- Radiosurgery in Tumours.- Craniopharyngiomas.- Pituitary Adenomas.- Pituitary Dependent Cushing's Disease.- Acromegaly.- Nelson's Syndrome.- Prolactin-Secreting Tumours.- Tumours in the Pineal Region.- Meningiomas.- Acoustic Neuromas.- Untoward Effects Following Radiosurgery of Acoustic Neuroma.- Metastatic Brain Tumours.- Glial Tumours.- Discussion.- The Gamma Knife in Functional Radiosurgery.- Cancer Pain.- Trigeminal Neuralgia.- Movement Disorder.- Psychosurgery.- Epilepsy.- Conclusions.- Discussion.- References.- Functional Imaging of Blood Brain Barrier Permeability by Single Photon Emission Computerised Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography.- The BBB.- Mechanisms of BBB Opening.- Imaging and Quantification.- SPECT.- PET.- Theory.- The Methods.- The Tracers.- BBB Evaluation in Brain Tumours.- Is Permeability Really Increased?.- BBB Alteration in Oedema.- Pharmacological Interferences.- Multiple Sclerosis.- Dementia of Alzheimer Type.- Conclusion.- References.- B. Technical Standards.- Economic Aspects of Neurosurgery.- Economics of Surgery in General.- Cost of Surgery to the Health Service.- Patient and Family.- Benefits of Surgery.- Features of Neurosurgery.- Specific Neurosurgical Examples.- a) Investigations and Early Diagnosis.- b) New Therapeutic Drugs and Technologies.- c) Management of Acute Head Injuries.- d) Use of Intensive Care.- e) The Wessex Study of Cost-benefit in a NSU.- Costings.- Costs of Averting Death or Severe Disability.- Costs of Averting Severe Disability Alone.- Future Directions.- References.- Current Concepts of Measurement of Cerebrospinal Fluid Absorption and Biomechanics of Hydrocephalus.- Production.- Formation.- Transportation.- Composition and Volumes.- Absorption and Sagittal Sinus Pressure.- Correlation Between ICP and CSF Formation/Absorption.- Vasopressin and ICP.- Measurement of Resistance to CSF Outflow.- I. Infusion Methods.- A. The Constant Pressure Servo-controlled Infusion Method.- B. The Constant Infusion and Constant Pressure Method.- The Lumbo-ventricular Perfusion.- The Ventricular Infusion.- The Lumbar Infusion.- C. The Constant Rate Infusion Test.- The Standard Infusion Test.- The Computerized Infusion Test.- II. Bolus Injection Tests.- III. The Radio Isotope Dilution Method.- Normal Rout Values.- Reproducibility and Reliability of Measurement of Rout.- Hydrocephalus.- Classification of Hydrocephalus.- Pathophysiology of Hydrocephalus.- The Role of Rout.- The Role of Brain Compliance.- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.- Complications in CSF-Shunting Operations