W. Lanksch – författare

Die außergewöhnlich große Bedeutung, welche die axiale Computertomo­ graphie in der Diagnostik der raumfordernden intracraniellen Prozesse innerhalb weniger Jahre erlangte, hat sich naturgemäß auch auf die Neuro-Traumatologie ausgewirkt. So ist nicht nur das Ausmaß traumati­ scher Hirnschäden in der Akutphase klarer zu beurteilen, sondern auch die Überwachung der posttraumatischen Verläufe ist um vieles exakter und sicherer geworden. Mit zunehmender Erfahrung haben sich aber auch differentialdiagnostische Probleme ergeben. Es ist deshalb zu begrüßen, daß die Verfasser der vorliegenden Studie die Ergebnisse, die sie an dem großen neuro-traumatalogischen Krankengut zweier neurochirurgischer Kliniken gewonnen haben, im Zusammenhang darstellen. Dabei wird einmal der diagnostische Stellenwert der Methode für die traumatisch bedingten Hirnschädigungen herausgearbeitet, zum anderen auf mögliche Fehlinterpretationen der Befunde hingewiesen. Der Vergleich mit invasiven Untersuchungsmethoden wie der Angiographie und der Luftencephalagraphie läßt die Überlegenheit der nicht invasiven Computertomographie, vor allem in der Verlaufsbeobachtung und der Diagnostik von Folgezuständen, erkennen. Der besondere Wert des Buches liegt darin, daß es von Klinikern geschrieben ist, die sich über die therapeutischen Konsequenzen der Untersuchungsmethode im klaren sind. Bei allem Enthusiasmus für die neue Untersuchungsmethode bleibt die Praevalenz der klinischen Befunde deutlich. Wir möchten dem Buch weite Verbreitung wünschen als Leitfaden für alle Ärzte, die sich mit der Diagnostik, Behandlung und Begutachtung von Patienten mit Schädelhirnverletzungen befassen.

Only a few years following its original development by the English physicist G.N. HOUNSFIELD, cranial computerized tomography has proved to be of revolutionary importance for the diagnosis of brain disorders. This is reflected not l~ast by the almost immediate and worldwide ac­ ceptance of this diagnostic method. Meanwhile, computerized tomography has in addition led to a considerably improved diagnosis of lesions within the orbital region. With the technically advanced systems of the second generation that will soon be available, the method can also be applied to the study of pathological processes of the facial region of the skull and the neck as well. Finally, although at present still at the stage of clinical investigation, the whole-body scanning system will enable investigation of all parts of the body. Stimulated by the successful 1st and 2nd Internalional Symposium on Computerized Tomography held in Hamilton, Bermuda, in ~''arch 1975 and in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April 1976, we organized a meeting on cranial computerized tomography which took place in ~unich, June 10 to 12, 1976. It was the aim of this symposium to provide basic informa­ tion as well as to exchange the experiences with the new method.

The introduction of computed tomography in the diagnosis of pathological intracranial conditions has had considerable significance in cases of cranio­ cerebral injury. The decisive diagnostic advantage lies in the possibility of demonstrating both gross pathological change directly as well as secondary changes in normal brain structures. Computed tomography has proved its considerable worth, especially in evaluation of patients with craniocerebral injury and its sequelae. The capabilities of CT were quickly recognized and use of the technique spread rapidly. It is likely that CT will be available within a few years in all hospitals and clinics treating patients with craniocerebral injury. We believe it appropriate to present a detailed report on our experience with CT in 1800 cases of craniocerebral injury treated in the neurosurgical departments in Miinchen-GroBhadern and Berlin-Charlottenburg over a period of five years. Both acute posttraumatic complications and late sequelae are discussed extensively. A large number of illustrations is provided in order to facilitate the reader''s introduction to CT diagnosis. The great interest in our conjoint study originally published in the German language, induced us to translate this book and to update the clinical material. We wish to thank the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, the Senat of Berlin, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat in Munich and the Freie Universitat of Berlin for the generous financial support which made this study possible.

The introduction of computed tomography in the diagnosis of pathological intracranial conditions has had considerable significance in cases of cranio­ cerebral injury. The decisive diagnostic advantage lies in the possibility of demonstrating both gross pathological change directly as well as secondary changes in normal brain structures. Computed tomography has proved its considerable worth, especially in evaluation of patients with craniocerebral injury and its sequelae. The capabilities of CT were quickly recognized and use of the technique spread rapidly. It is likely that CT will be available within a few years in all hospitals and clinics treating patients with craniocerebral injury. We believe it appropriate to present a detailed report on our experience with CT in 1800 cases of craniocerebral injury treated in the neurosurgical departments in Miinchen-GroBhadern and Berlin-Charlottenburg over a period of five years. Both acute posttraumatic complications and late sequelae are discussed extensively. A large number of illustrations is provided in order to facilitate the reader's introduction to CT diagnosis. The great interest in our conjoint study originally published in the German language, induced us to translate this book and to update the clinical material. We wish to thank the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, the Senat of Berlin, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat in Munich and the Freie Universitat of Berlin for the generous financial support which made this study possible.

This book represents the second, fully revised edition of the original volume published in 1982. Experience in neuroradiology has confirmed the outstanding value of computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of space-occupying lesions within the skull and orbit. It might be assumed, then, that the second edition of this book would simply represent a numerically expanded continua­ tion of the popular first edition. That is not the case, however. Advances in imaging techniques have promp­ ted the creation of a new book whose expanded title reflects its more comprehen­ sive nature. The added illustrations, the revised text, and the expanded circle of editors and contributors document this. Since publication of the first edition, a new modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has become an established neuroradiologic study. We felt it was essential to include this new modality in our book and explore its capabilities as an adjunct or alternative to CT scanning. Because of the high acquisition costs of MRI and the still small number of MR units currently in operation, we have relied in part on images furnished by other institutions and private practitioners, to whom we are indebted. Many problems relating to MR, both in terms of equipment and image interpretation, have yet to be resolved. There is no denying that we still have much to learn.

This book represents the second, fully revised edition of the original volume published in 1982. Experience in neuroradiology has confirmed the outstanding value of computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of space-occupying lesions within the skull and orbit. It might be assumed, then, that the second edition of this book would simply represent a numerically expanded continua­ tion of the popular first edition. That is not the case, however. Advances in imaging techniques have promp­ ted the creation of a new book whose expanded title reflects its more comprehen­ sive nature. The added illustrations, the revised text, and the expanded circle of editors and contributors document this. Since publication of the first edition, a new modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has become an established neuroradiologic study. We felt it was essential to include this new modality in our book and explore its capabilities as an adjunct or alternative to CT scanning. Because of the high acquisition costs of MRI and the still small number of MR units currently in operation, we have relied in part on images furnished by other institutions and private practitioners, to whom we are indebted. Many problems relating to MR, both in terms of equipment and image interpretation, have yet to be resolved. There is no denying that we still have much to learn.

The current book represents a distillation of the experience gained in diagnosis of intracranial tumors with computed X-ray tomography at the University Hos­ pitals of Berlin, Mainz, and Miinchen. To what purpose? Standard radiological techniques such as pneumoencephalography with lumbar puncture and cerebral arteriography with puncture of the common carotid artery are invasive proce­ dures which entail a certain amount of risk as well as discomfort for the patient. Furthermore, diagnoses made with these procedures rely primarily on indirect signs of an intracranial space-occupying lesion - such as displacement of the air-filled ventricles or of normal cerebral vessels. Only a few types of tumor are demonstrated directly with these techniques. In contrast, computed tomography demonstrates the pathology directly in almost all cases, and this with a minimum of risk and discomfort. In addition, normal intracranial structures are demonstrated, so that the tumor''s effect on its surroundings can be evaluated. Today, almost a decade after HOUNSFIELD''S revolutionary invention, diagno­ sis of brain tumors without computed tomography is almost unthinkable, if not in fact irresponsible.

Die außergewöhnlich große Bedeutung, welche die axiale Computertomo­ graphie in der Diagnostik der raumfordernden intracraniellen Prozesse innerhalb weniger Jahre erlangte, hat sich naturgemäß auch auf die Neuro-Traumatologie ausgewirkt. So ist nicht nur das Ausmaß traumati­ scher Hirnschäden in der Akutphase klarer zu beurteilen, sondern auch die Überwachung der posttraumatischen Verläufe ist um vieles exakter und sicherer geworden. Mit zunehmender Erfahrung haben sich aber auch differentialdiagnostische Probleme ergeben. Es ist deshalb zu begrüßen, daß die Verfasser der vorliegenden Studie die Ergebnisse, die sie an dem großen neuro-traumatalogischen Krankengut zweier neurochirurgischer Kliniken gewonnen haben, im Zusammenhang darstellen. Dabei wird einmal der diagnostische Stellenwert der Methode für die traumatisch bedingten Hirnschädigungen herausgearbeitet, zum anderen auf mögliche Fehlinterpretationen der Befunde hingewiesen. Der Vergleich mit invasiven Untersuchungsmethoden wie der Angiographie und der Luftencephalagraphie läßt die Überlegenheit der nicht invasiven Computertomographie, vor allem in der Verlaufsbeobachtung und der Diagnostik von Folgezuständen, erkennen. Der besondere Wert des Buches liegt darin, daß es von Klinikern geschrieben ist, die sich über die therapeutischen Konsequenzen der Untersuchungsmethode im klaren sind. Bei allem Enthusiasmus für die neue Untersuchungsmethode bleibt die Praevalenz der klinischen Befunde deutlich. Wir möchten dem Buch weite Verbreitung wünschen als Leitfaden für alle Ärzte, die sich mit der Diagnostik, Behandlung und Begutachtung von Patienten mit Schädelhirnverletzungen befassen.