The Committee of Neurotraumatology of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies decided to elaborate a Glossary of Neuro­ traumatology, and for this purpose appointed a subgroup of members of this Committee, headed by Dr. E. S. Gurdjian, whose report follows this preface. The main reason for the Committee's decision was the hope that the diffusion of the Glossary through "Acta Neurochirurgica" may bring about a better understanding of neurotraumatological terminology on a worldwide scale. The Glossary should facilitate the classification and the comparison of traumatic lesions of the Nervous System. It will consequently be easier to compile statistics and correctly interpret the informations thus obtained. The very commendable initiative of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in revising the terminology of head injuries and in publishing this work in Vol. 12 (1966) of "Clinical Neurosurgery" constitutes an important contribution. In 1977 the Glossary now presented endeav­ ours to complete and bring up to date the definitions of anatomical or physiological modifications in the neurotraumatological field. We wish to express our thanks to Dr. Gurdjian and to the other members of the Neurotraumatological Committee who were responsible for the elaboration of this Glossary and whose efforts to standardise, as much as possible, the language used by scientists of different nationalities, have resulted in a better understanding between neurosurgeons.

It has become increasingly difficult for the single clinician to cover the whole area of traumatology and particularly neurotraumatology. This is now a science with various specialized fields of research. The results are published in different and special journals, proceedings and books often not easily available to those responsible for the daily practical management of the patients with head injuries. Epidemiological investigations are necessary to evaluate the severity and frequency of accidents and injuries. Such studies will stress the importance of analysis of the causes and also the importance of prevention. They are useful for evaluation of the effects of injuries despite management. Moreover, the researchers of the different aspects may need some knowledge of other links in the chain of events at and after an impact. This is particularly evident with respect to the problems of accident and injury, their prevention, reduction, management and the presentation of the most important clinical features in each case for international comparisons. Therefore it is appropriate to let the different specialists briefly discuss and present their aspects of the subject. Moreover, it may facilitate and stimulate the clinicians in studying special fields of interest. This was the intention behind the "Scandinavian Symposium on Neurotraumatology" held in May 1985 in Gothenburg: - To accumulate wider knowledge for the neurosurgeon and better understanding between the researchers in various fields to the benefit of the coming and present patients. Sten Lindgren Contents Lindgren, S.: Introduction.

The Committee of Neurotraumatology of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies decided to elaborate a Glossary of Neuro­ traumatology, and for this purpose appointed a subgroup of members of this Committee, headed by Dr. E. S. Gurdjian, whose report follows this preface. The main reason for the Committee''s decision was the hope that the diffusion of the Glossary through "Acta Neurochirurgica" may bring about a better understanding of neurotraumatological terminology on a worldwide scale. The Glossary should facilitate the classification and the comparison of traumatic lesions of the Nervous System. It will consequently be easier to compile statistics and correctly interpret the informations thus obtained. The very commendable initiative of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in revising the terminology of head injuries and in publishing this work in Vol. 12 (1966) of "Clinical Neurosurgery" constitutes an important contribution. In 1977 the Glossary now presented endeav­ ours to complete and bring up to date the definitions of anatomical or physiological modifications in the neurotraumatological field. We wish to express our thanks to Dr. Gurdjian and to the other members of the Neurotraumatological Committee who were responsible for the elaboration of this Glossary and whose efforts to standardise, as much as possible, the language used by scientists of different nationalities, have resulted in a better understanding between neurosurgeons.

The Committee of Neurotraumatology of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies decided to elaborate a Glossary of Neuro­ traumatology, and for this purpose appointed a subgroup of members of this Committee, headed by Dr. E. S. Gurdjian, whose report follows this preface. The main reason for the Committee's decision was the hope that the diffusion of the Glossary through "Acta Neurochirurgica" may bring about a better understanding of neurotraumatological terminology on a worldwide scale. The Glossary should facilitate the classification and the comparison of traumatic lesions of the Nervous System. It will consequently be easier to compile statistics and correctly interpret the informations thus obtained. The very commendable initiative of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in revising the terminology of head injuries and in publishing this work in Vol. 12 (1966) of "Clinical Neurosurgery" constitutes an important contribution. In 1977 the Glossary now presented endeav­ ours to complete and bring up to date the definitions of anatomical or physiological modifications in the neurotraumatological field. We wish to express our thanks to Dr. Gurdjian and to the other members of the Neurotraumatological Committee who were responsible for the elaboration of this Glossary and whose efforts to standardise, as much as possible, the language used by scientists of different nationalities, have resulted in a better understanding between neurosurgeons.

It has become increasingly difficult for the single clinician to cover the whole area of traumatology and particularly neurotraumatology. This is now a science with various specialized fields of research. The results are published in different and special journals, proceedings and books often not easily available to those responsible for the daily practical management of the patients with head injuries. Epidemiological investigations are necessary to evaluate the severity and frequency of accidents and injuries. Such studies will stress the importance of analysis of the causes and also the importance of prevention. They are useful for evaluation of the effects of injuries despite management. Moreover, the researchers of the different aspects may need some knowledge of other links in the chain of events at and after an impact. This is particularly evident with respect to the problems of accident and injury, their prevention, reduction, management and the presentation of the most important clinical features in each case for international comparisons. Therefore it is appropriate to let the different specialists briefly discuss and present their aspects of the subject. Moreover, it may facilitate and stimulate the clinicians in studying special fields of interest. This was the intention behind the "Scandinavian Symposium on Neurotraumatology" held in May 1985 in Gothenburg: - To accumulate wider knowledge for the neurosurgeon and better understanding between the researchers in various fields to the benefit of the coming and present patients. Sten Lindgren Contents Lindgren, S.: Introduction.

The Committee of Neurotraumatology of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies decided to elaborate a Glossary of Neuro­ traumatology, and for this purpose appointed a subgroup of members of this Committee, headed by Dr. E. S. Gurdjian, whose report follows this preface. The main reason for the Committee''s decision was the hope that the diffusion of the Glossary through "Acta Neurochirurgica" may bring about a better understanding of neurotraumatological terminology on a worldwide scale. The Glossary should facilitate the classification and the comparison of traumatic lesions of the Nervous System. It will consequently be easier to compile statistics and correctly interpret the informations thus obtained. The very commendable initiative of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons in revising the terminology of head injuries and in publishing this work in Vol. 12 (1966) of "Clinical Neurosurgery" constitutes an important contribution. In 1977 the Glossary now presented endeav­ ours to complete and bring up to date the definitions of anatomical or physiological modifications in the neurotraumatological field. We wish to express our thanks to Dr. Gurdjian and to the other members of the Neurotraumatological Committee who were responsible for the elaboration of this Glossary and whose efforts to standardise, as much as possible, the language used by scientists of different nationalities, have resulted in a better understanding between neurosurgeons.