Angiography of the Mesencephalon

In the beginning after Dandy's publication in 1918, ventriculo­ graphy and pneumencephalography were the main tools in the neuroradiographical examination of brain tumours. Later on, cerebral angiography after Egaz Moniz in 1927, has been more and more commonly used. Now it appears to be the most important neuroradiological examination in tumours of the great hemispheres. Up till some years ago, air studies were the predominant examinations in lesions of the brainstem and the contents of the posterior fossa. Gradually angiographic examination for lesions in these regions has been more frequently used. Nowadays angiographic examination of the mesencephalon proves to be of increasing importance. However, some neuro­ radiologists feel inhibited. They fear difficulties when reading the angiogram, even if the subtraction method is applied. Like other workers in the field of neuroradiology and neuro­ surgery they will be very pleased with the edition of Wacken­ heim and Braun's monograph. These authors are already well known because of their excellent air studies in mesencephalic lesions. With this book they provide us with a most valuable and clear guide to the inter­ pretation of normal and pathologic angiograms, including capillarograms, of the mesencephalic regions.