This series, sponsored by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, 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.

This volume of Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery is devoted entirely to the spine. Like other volumes in the series, it presents important recent progress in the field and offers detailed descriptions of standard procedures to assist young neurosurgeons. Among the advances considered are approaches to spinal navigation, including intraoperative imaging based navigation, and concepts of spinal robotics. The value of sagittal balance as a parameter for the neurosurgeon is examined, and a novel surgical approach to longitudinal pathologies within the spinal canal is presented. Developments in surgery for kyphosis are also discussed, with a focus on pedicle subtraction osteotomy. The technical standards section critically reviews the latest evidence regarding cervical disc arthroplasty and pedicle-based non-fusion stabilization devices. The book concludes by discussing the treatment of craniovertebral junction instability as a result of juvenile chronic arthritis.

S. Price: Advances in imaging low grade gliomas - M.J. Riemenschneider, G. Riefenberger: Molecular neuropathology of low grade gliomas and its clinical impact - I . 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: Is there a place for radiotherapy in low grade gliomas - F.W. Kreth, N. Thon, J.-C. Tonn

As an addition to the European postgraduate training system for young neurosurgeons, we began to publish in 1974 this series of Advances and Technical Standards in Neurosurgery which was later sponsored by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. This series was first discussed in 1972 at a combined meeting of the Italian and German Neurosurgical Societies in Taormina, the founding fathers of the series being Jean Brihaye, Bernard Pertuiset, Fritz Loew and Hugo Krayenbuhl. Thus were established the principles of European co operation which have been born from the European spirit, flourished in the European Association, and have been associated throughout with this senes. The fact that the English language is now the international medium for communication at European scientific conferences is a great asset in terms of mutual understanding. Therefore we have decided to publish all contri butions in English, regardless of the native language of the authors. All contributions are submitted to the entire editorial board before publication of any volume for scrutiny and suggestions for revision. Our series is not intended to compete with the publications of original scientific papers in other neurosurgical journals. Our intention is, rather, to present fields of neurosurgery and related areas in which important recent advances have been made. The contributions are written by specialists in the given fields and constitute the first part of each volume.

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 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.