Traumatology of the Skull Base

As a result of its structure, the skull base forms a borderline between different medi cal and surgical specialties. Nevertheless, the pathology of the skull may involve crossing these boundaries. Consequently, treatment may require a multidisciplinary approach with close cooperation between different specialists, each with his specific knowledge and capabilities. A good example is the cooperation needed in the treat ment of skull base trauma. The Skull Base Study Group was founded some years ago in view of this situa tion. Its purpose is to organize international conferences on topics related to skull base pathology. The first was held in June 1982 and focused on the area of trauma tology. The present volume contains articles written by the highly qualified con tributors to the June 1982 conference, dealing with the anatomical, biomechan ical, and neuroradiological aspects of skull base fractures and their consequences in neurologic and vascular dysfunction and deficits. Many authors from Europe and abroad have contributed to the high standard of this book. I would like to congratulate the Editors on the publication of this volume. It contains many important and interesting aspects of particular value to all medical and surgical specialists working in or on one of either sides of the skull base.

As a result of its structure, the skull base forms a borderline between different medi cal and surgical specialties.

Pathophysiology of Skull Base Injuries.- Anatomy of the Skull Base Related to Trauma.- Cerebral Contusions - Correlations Between C. T., Angiography, and the Vascular Anatomy of the Brain and Skull Base.- Experimental Fractures of the Skull Base.- Interaction Between the Skull Base and the Skull Contents at Impact to the Skull.- Evaluation and General Management of Skull Base Injuries.- Radiologic Evaluation of Skull Base Trauma.- Fronto-Basal Injuries - Principles in Diagnosis and Treatment..- Maxillo-Facial Injuries - Principles in Diagnosis and Treatment..- Latero-Basal Injuries.- Traumatic Injuries of the Planum Occipitale and Posterior Fossa Brain Parenchyma.- Is General Anaesthesia Detrimental in Severe Acute Head Injury?.- Olfactory Nerve and Tract.- Olfaction After Frontobasal Trauma With and Without Surgery..- Optic Nerve and Orbit.- Indications to Operate on Orbital Fractures.- Orbital Fractures. A Review of 589 Patients With 750 Fractured Orbits..- Surgical Treatment of Orbital Blow-Out Fractures..- Treatment of Ocular Pareses..- Facial Nerve.- Facial Nerve in Its Borderline from the Intratemporal to the Extratemporal Segment..- Management of Traumatic Facial Palsy..- Facial Paralysis After Trauma of the Skull..- Intra-Cranial Reconstruction of Facial Nerve After Lateral Basal Fracture..- Vestibulocochlear Nerve and Hearing Mechanisms.- Etiology and Clinical Features of Post-Traumatic Hearing Loss..- Reconstruction of the Ossicular Chain After Traumatic Lesions..- Hearing Loss Due to Traumatic Ruptures of the Tympanic Membrane and Fistulae of the Round and Oval Window..- Vascular Injuries.- Angiographic Study of Carotid Cavernous Fistulas (CCF)..- Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm..- Craniocervical Junction.- Radiology of Traumatic Lesions of the Cranio-Vertebral Region..- Traumatic Lesions of Cranio-Cervical Junction..- Round Table Discussion on Timing, Priority and Multidisciplinary Approach to Skull Base Trauma.