Mechanisms of Secondary Brain Damage : Current State

The volume presents an interdisciplinary discussion on the current knowledge of mechanisms of secondary brain damage evolving from cerebral trauma or ischemia.

Specific topics focus on functional analysis of the brain by NMR-spectroscopy or PET-scanning, as well as on quantitative histomorphological assessment of primary versus secondary lesions in neuro-traumatology.

Other chapters are concerned with the acid-base regulation in cerebral ischemia, and the current understanding of clinically relevant mediator compounds enhancing tissue damage in trauma or ischemia, in particular focusing on the amino acid glutamate.

Valuable information is gleaned from recent investigations on the recovery potential of the brain from ischemia in men, or the most modern treatment modalities of cerebral resuscitation after cardiac arrest, combining research from cardiopulmonary bypass, haemodilution and hypothermia. Further highlights of the text include a discussion of the present state of prehospital emergency care, including logistics, training of personnel and availability of specific trauma centres, and evaluations of the clinical management of intracranial hypertension and brain tissue acidosis in severe head injury.