Rhoton AL, Preface. 2000
2
Prefaces It is a great honor for me to be chosen as one the people privileged to write a preface to the special supplement edition of Neurosurgery dedicated to the work of Dr. Albert L. Rhoton, Jr. As one of his first fellows in the laboratory at the University of Florida, I have personally witnessed Dr. Rhoton’s tireless commitment to achieving professional excellence. The old laboratory, today replaced by a fancy state-of-the-art facility, was the stage for the performance of many artists, sculptors of the naturally beautiful gem that is the human brain. Dr. Rhoton’s daily display of dedication, hard work, and persis- tence has made him a role model for the fellows. His inquis- itive mind and diligent guidance has set the standards for the microsurgical laboratory to a level unparalleled in the world. This long-awaited supplement, although but a part of an endless collection of masterpieces of anatomic dissections, pays a long-due homage to the person responsible for show- ing the young and even the older generation of neurosur- geons that the answer to the majority of our surgical problems lies in knowledge of the basics of anatomy. Evandro de Oliveira Sa ˜o Paulo, Brazil It is a wonderful idea to publish in a supplement to Neu- rosurgery the best of Dr. Albert L. Rhoton’s work on the anatomy and surgery of the posterior cranial fossa. Moreover, this publication will be followed in 2002 by another supple- ment, which will focus on the cerebrum and supratentorial areas. With the development of surgical assistance by endoscopy, computed imaging, robotics, and other techniques, many sur- geons, especially the youngest, may wonder about the rele- vance and usefulness of a perfect knowledge of anatomy. Whatever instruments we use, however, the brain on which we work will remain the same, and knowledge of its anatomy will always have great importance. Someday, we may be able to integrate anatomic pictures into our surgical devices, in the same way that computed images are incorporated today. Moreover, these anatomic pictures could be modified according to the pathological fea- tures, based on the imaging scans. Thus, the surgeon might compare his or her real surgical field with the virtual anatomy of the same case. Whatever the future, comprehensive knowl- edge and understanding of what we are working on will be always essential. Dr. Rhoton’s work is a masterpiece that will help to acquire and maintain this knowledge. Every neurosurgeon in the world knows and appreciates Dr. Rhoton as a master of surgical anatomy. Many, including myself, have collected his wonderfully illustrated articles. Some societies, such as the Neurosurgical Society of Australa- sia, use Dr. Rhoton’s pictures on their examinations. Person- ally, I think that the incredible quality of these pictures reflects the quality of the man himself. During congress presentations, I often observe that, behind every nice and demonstrative operative slide, there is a good, honest, and experienced sur- geon. I need not say more about Albert L. Rhoton as a man and as a neurosurgeon. This supplement to Neurosurgery will not join the other issues but will have a dedicated place in my library. Bernard George Paris, France Neurosurgeons all over the world await the compilation of the astounding anatomic encyclopedic work of Dr. Albert L. Rhoton, Jr., in volume form. The present study on the poste- rior fossa will be a ready reference in the library and surgical theater. Dr. Rhoton’s anatomic work is based on extensive, meticulous, and precise dissections of cadavers. His tech- niques of preservation of the cadaver head, injection of the arteries and veins, and depiction of the anatomic details will remain a landmark feature for a long time. His anatomic work has been oriented toward the surgical approach and has helped all of us in the formulation and planning of surgery. His concepts, ideas, and revelations will be a treasure for us all forever. On the personal side, he has guided me on innu- merable occasions, nurtured me, and seen me evolve. On behalf of all his students, including many Japanese colleagues who have had a chance to work in his laboratory, I whole- heartedly welcome the publication of this magnificent special issue. Shigeaki Kobayashi Matsumoto, Japan Dr. Albert L. Rhoton’s scientific work as a neurosurgeon— his life’s work—demonstrates his dedication to topographic anatomy in neurosurgery. The exposure of anatomic details in the posterior fossa is unique in the history of neurosurgery. Dr. Rhoton is one of the most prestigious personalities within modern neurosurgery, because of his neurosurgical skill and his wonderful human qualities. For 30 years, I have had the privilege of knowing this wonderful person and admiring his inexhaustible talent, which enabled him to contribute to modern neurosurgery in a very meaningful way. He has mainly devoted himself to the field of topographic anatomy. His attention is principally focused on the surgical approaches to the different regions, particularly the posterior fossa. His intention is always to search for easier and more accurate surgical techniques, not just for selected experts but for all neurosurgeons. He has developed advanced technical standards for exposure of the cerebral vessels in beautiful color illustrations in cadavers. This contribution to the world of neurosurgery is unique and exceptional. Almost all neurosurgeons have benefited from his effort to achieve a better understanding of neuroanatomy. His artistic talent has made him an invaluable teacher and a great master of neurosurgery. This special supplement issue, The Posterior Cranial Fossa: Microsurgical Anatomy and Surgical Approaches, in 10 chapters S3 Neurosurgery, Vol. 47, No. 3, September 2000 Supplement
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Transcript of Rhoton AL, Preface. 2000
Prefaces
It is a great honor for me to be chosen as one the peopleprivileged to write a preface to the special supplement editionof Neurosurgery dedicated to the work of Dr. Albert L. Rhoton,Jr. As one of his first fellows in the laboratory at the Universityof Florida, I have personally witnessed Dr. Rhoton’s tirelesscommitment to achieving professional excellence. The oldlaboratory, today replaced by a fancy state-of-the-art facility,was the stage for the performance of many artists, sculptors ofthe naturally beautiful gem that is the human brain. Dr.Rhoton’s daily display of dedication, hard work, and persis-tence has made him a role model for the fellows. His inquis-itive mind and diligent guidance has set the standards for themicrosurgical laboratory to a level unparalleled in the world.This long-awaited supplement, although but a part of anendless collection of masterpieces of anatomic dissections,pays a long-due homage to the person responsible for show-ing the young and even the older generation of neurosur-geons that the answer to the majority of our surgical problemslies in knowledge of the basics of anatomy.
Evandro de OliveiraSao Paulo, Brazil
It is a wonderful idea to publish in a supplement to Neu-rosurgery the best of Dr. Albert L. Rhoton’s work on theanatomy and surgery of the posterior cranial fossa. Moreover,this publication will be followed in 2002 by another supple-ment, which will focus on the cerebrum and supratentorialareas.
With the development of surgical assistance by endoscopy,computed imaging, robotics, and other techniques, many sur-geons, especially the youngest, may wonder about the rele-vance and usefulness of a perfect knowledge of anatomy.Whatever instruments we use, however, the brain on whichwe work will remain the same, and knowledge of its anatomywill always have great importance.
Someday, we may be able to integrate anatomic picturesinto our surgical devices, in the same way that computedimages are incorporated today. Moreover, these anatomicpictures could be modified according to the pathological fea-tures, based on the imaging scans. Thus, the surgeon mightcompare his or her real surgical field with the virtual anatomyof the same case. Whatever the future, comprehensive knowl-edge and understanding of what we are working on will bealways essential. Dr. Rhoton’s work is a masterpiece that willhelp to acquire and maintain this knowledge.
Every neurosurgeon in the world knows and appreciatesDr. Rhoton as a master of surgical anatomy. Many, includingmyself, have collected his wonderfully illustrated articles.Some societies, such as the Neurosurgical Society of Australa-sia, use Dr. Rhoton’s pictures on their examinations. Person-ally, I think that the incredible quality of these pictures reflectsthe quality of the man himself. During congress presentations,I often observe that, behind every nice and demonstrativeoperative slide, there is a good, honest, and experienced sur-
geon. I need not say more about Albert L. Rhoton as a manand as a neurosurgeon. This supplement to Neurosurgery willnot join the other issues but will have a dedicated place in mylibrary.
Bernard GeorgeParis, France
Neurosurgeons all over the world await the compilation ofthe astounding anatomic encyclopedic work of Dr. Albert L.Rhoton, Jr., in volume form. The present study on the poste-rior fossa will be a ready reference in the library and surgicaltheater. Dr. Rhoton’s anatomic work is based on extensive,meticulous, and precise dissections of cadavers. His tech-niques of preservation of the cadaver head, injection of thearteries and veins, and depiction of the anatomic details willremain a landmark feature for a long time. His anatomic workhas been oriented toward the surgical approach and hashelped all of us in the formulation and planning of surgery.
His concepts, ideas, and revelations will be a treasure for usall forever. On the personal side, he has guided me on innu-merable occasions, nurtured me, and seen me evolve. Onbehalf of all his students, including many Japanese colleagueswho have had a chance to work in his laboratory, I whole-heartedly welcome the publication of this magnificent specialissue.
Shigeaki KobayashiMatsumoto, Japan
Dr. Albert L. Rhoton’s scientific work as a neurosurgeon—his life’s work—demonstrates his dedication to topographicanatomy in neurosurgery. The exposure of anatomic details inthe posterior fossa is unique in the history of neurosurgery.Dr. Rhoton is one of the most prestigious personalities withinmodern neurosurgery, because of his neurosurgical skill andhis wonderful human qualities.
For 30 years, I have had the privilege of knowing thiswonderful person and admiring his inexhaustible talent,which enabled him to contribute to modern neurosurgery in avery meaningful way. He has mainly devoted himself to thefield of topographic anatomy. His attention is principallyfocused on the surgical approaches to the different regions,particularly the posterior fossa. His intention is always tosearch for easier and more accurate surgical techniques, notjust for selected experts but for all neurosurgeons. He hasdeveloped advanced technical standards for exposure of thecerebral vessels in beautiful color illustrations in cadavers.This contribution to the world of neurosurgery is unique andexceptional. Almost all neurosurgeons have benefited fromhis effort to achieve a better understanding of neuroanatomy.His artistic talent has made him an invaluable teacher and agreat master of neurosurgery.
This special supplement issue, The Posterior Cranial Fossa:Microsurgical Anatomy and Surgical Approaches, in 10 chapters
S3Neurosurgery, Vol. 47, No. 3, September 2000 Supplement
with more than 500 color illustrations, will be the highlight ofevery neurosurgeon’s study! Dr. Rhoton has given a great giftto all of us.
Madjid SamiiHannover, Germany
Anatomy to the surgeon is like the sun for our planet.Anatomy gives us the life-sustaining knowledge to traversethe intricate pathways throughout the brain. As our anatomicknowledge has grown, our entire specialty has evolved. Nosingle neuroanatomist can lay greater claim to expanding this
knowledge for neurosurgeons than Dr. Albert L. Rhoton, Jr.The microsurgical anatomic preparations from his laboratoryhave provided a whole generation of neurosurgeons with theanatomic armamentarium to reach every aspect of the centralnervous system safely. This special supplement, The PosteriorCranial Fossa: Microsurgical Anatomy and Surgical Approaches,will provide life-sustaining sunlight to countless neurosur-geons and will thereby directly benefit their respectivepatients.
Robert F. SpetzlerPhoenix, Arizona
Surgical instruments as shown inJoannis Sculteti’s Armamentarium
Chirurgicum. . . . This limitededition of 2500 copies was boundin half leather and Hahnemuhle
paper. From, Joannis Sculteti,Armamentarium Chirurgicum XLII
Tabulis Aeri ElegantissimeIncisis. . . . Ulm, B. Kuhnen, 1655.
Courtesy, Rare Book Room,Norris Medical Library, Keck
School of Medicine, Los Angeles,California.
S4 Rhoton
Neurosurgery, Vol. 47, No. 3, September 2000 Supplement
