Pickard J, Akalan N, Benes V: Advances and technical standards in neurosurgery

This series of books publishes chapters written by experts in their field, invited by the Editorial Board. Since the authors are not limited by space, they can cover their topic comprehensively and provide us with an extensive list of references. The print and the figures are of excellent quality. These books provide optimal continuous training.

The first part on advances contains four chapters:

• 1. A new concept of diffuse (low-grade) glioma surgery

  H. Duffau

  In recent years, the author has become the expert in “functional surgical neurooncology” as he calls it himself. His concept is to use extensively preoperative cortical and subcortical mapping in order to preserve function. For the surgical technique, he insists on subpial dissection and preservation of the vessels.

• 2. Spinal cord injury and its treatment: current management and experimental perspectives.

  F. Scholtes, G. Brook, D. Martin

  The macroscopic and microscopic aspects and their evolution in time are first presented, followed by the therapeutic approaches (neuroprotection, repair of the lesion site, recruiting preserved tissue, comments on spinal cord plasticity) followed by clinical treatment including clinical trials and finally rehabilitation.

• 3. Percutaneous biopsy through the foramen ovale for parasellar lesions: surgical anatomy, method and indications.

  M. Sindou, M. Messerer, J. Alvernia, G. Saint-Pierre

  The masterpiece of this chapter is the description of the surgical anatomy. The technique, or trajectory of the needle, is the one described for trigeminal neuralgia.

• 4. Percutaneous pedicle screw implantation for refractory low back pain: from manual 2D to fully robotic intraoperative 2D/3D fluoroscopy.

  C. Raftopoulos, F. Waterkeyn, E. Fomekong, T. Duprez

  The authors describe their technique and experience using the 2D/3D Artis Zeego, which is essentially the association of a robotic multi-axis C-arm fluoroscopy with a translucent robotic table.

The second part on technical standards contains three chapters:

• 1. The choroidal fissure: anatomy and surgical implications.

  Zemmoura, S. Velut, P. François

  The authors provide a clear description of the anatomy of the choroidal fissure, rostral portion, dorsal portion caudal portion concentrating on the veins and arteries and comment on the surgical implications.

• 2. Decompressive craniectomy—operative technique and perioperative care

  • I. Timofeev, T. Santarius, A.G. Kolias, P.J.A. Hutchinson

    This is a straightforward description of the bifrontal decompressive craniectomy and of the hemicraniectomy. Patient selection, preoperative and postoperative care as well as possible complications are detailed.

• 3. Management of cortical dysplasia in epilepsy

  S. Fauser, J. Zentner

The authors provide us with a good overview of this difficult topic.

It starts with a nicely illustrated section on the histological appearance followed by the clinical presentation, the presurgical monitoring, the surgical procedures and the outcome and the prognostic factors.