A. Advances.- Prostaglandins, Thromboxane, Leukotrienes and the Cerebral Circulation in Health and Disease..- The Biochemistry of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- Metabolism of Eicosanoids.- Basic Physiology of Eicosanoid Synthesis and Secretion.- What Determines the Nature of the Eicosanoids Produced by Individual Cells?.- Pharmacological Inhibitors of Arachidonic Acid Release and Metabolism.- Inhibition of Phospholipase Activity.- Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase.- Inhibition of Lipoxygenase.- Inhibition of Thromboxane A2 and Prostacyclin Synthesis.- Use of Aspirin to Prevent Thrombosis.- Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxygen-Free Radicals, Lipid Peroxides, and Their Interaction with Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- Reactive Oxygen Intermediates and Oxygen-Free Radicals.- Lipid Peroxidation.- Effects of Oxygen-Free Radicals and Lipid Hydroperoxides on Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.- Methodological Problems in the Analysis of Eicosanoid Production in Brain.- Analytical Problems.- Eicosanoids Present in vivo.- Cerebrovascular Synthesis of Eicosanoids.- Actions of Eicosanoids at a Cellular Level.- Actions of Prostanoids in Platelet Aggregation.- Mechanism of the Effects of Eicosanoids on Vascular Smooth Muscle.- Eicosanoids as Candidates for the “Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor”.- Actions of Eicosanoids on Cerebral Arterial Contraction in vitro and in vivo.- Arterial Smooth Muscle Receptors for Eicosanoids.- Cerebral Blood Flow—a Role for Endogenous Prostacyclin?.- Effects of Prostaglandins and Prostacyclin on Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism.- Acute Cerebral Ischaemia: Background.- Global Cerebral Ischaemia.- Regional (Incomplete) Ischaemia.- Microembolism.- Miscellaneous Models.- Cerebral Oedema.- Cerebral Vasospasm.- Acknowledgements.- References.- B. Technical Standards.- Selective Amygdalo-Hlppocampectomy. Operative Anatomy and Surgical Technique..- 1. Introduction.- 2. Operative Technique.- Craniotomy.- Dural Opening.- Opening the Arachnoid.- Opening the Sylvian Fissure.- Inspection and Mobilization of the Middle Cerebral Artery and Its Branches.- Cortical Incision, Opening the Temporal Horn, Removal of Amygdala.- Opening the Pia.- Removal of the Hippocampus.- Problems.- References.- Transoral Approach for Epidural Craniocervical Pathological Processes.- Anatomy.- 1. Soft Palate.- 2. Pharynx.- 3. Atlas.- 4. Odontoid Process.- 5. Muscular Structures.- Surgical Pathology and Indications for Transoral Surgery.- 1. Developmental Anomalies.- 2. Traumatic Conditions.- 3. Inflammatory Processes.- a) Rheumatoid Arthritis.- b) Tuberculosis.- 4. Tumours.- a) Osteoma.- b) Chondroma and Osteochondroma.- c) Giant-Cell Tumour (Osteoclastoma).- d) Osteoblastoma.- e) Chordoma.- f) Eosinophilic Granuloma.- g) Extramedullary Tumours of the Foramen Magnum.- h) Metastases.- 5. Vascular Processes.- Clinical Features.- Neuroradiological Investigations.- 1. Radiography and X-Ray Tomography.- 2. Gas or Water Soluble Contrast Myelography.- 3. Computerized Tomography and Myelography.- 4. Magnetic Resonance (MR) Scan.- 5. Vertebral Angiography.- 6. Arthrography.- Surgical Procedure.- Summary of Cases.- Case Reports.- Case No. 11.- Case No. 12.- Case No. 10.- Case No. 3.- Summary.- References.- Author Index.
