Clinical Philosophy of Neurosurgery

A concept of “philosophy of neurosurgery” includes genesis, meaning and purpose of neurosurgery as a clinical discipline and an integral part of neuroscience, its basic principles, trends of and patterns of research and treatment of CNS pathology. It also covers interdisciplinary links and understanding the role and methods of emergence of scientific, clinical, technological and humanitarian knowledge related to neurosurgery, as well as neurosurgeons’ worldview.
The book shows philosophy of the founders of neurosurgery. Philosophy of neurosurgery is realized in clinical practice through clinical judgement and conceptual approaches to interventions on brain and spinal cord.
The discipline-making factors, methodology of diagnosis in neurosurgery, a concept of stages of clinical course of head injury (phasnost’), multi-dimensional classification of head injury, and doctrine of its sequelae are presented.
A particularly stress is made upon problems of ethics and humanism in neurosurgery. Ethical dilemmas in neurosurgery are revealed and options for conflict resolution are analyzed. The importance of philosophical approach for development of preventive neurosurgery and resisting a syndrome of doctor-patient disconnection is established. It is claimed that a philosophy of neurosurgery helps to view it as one specialty despite of its technologization and differentiation. It also fosters systemic approach to a patient.
The book is illustrated; each of 10 chapters has bibliography.
It is a joint work of authors from Russia and USA. The book is aimed at neurosurgeons, neurologists, traumatologists, intensive care specialists, radiologists and all those who are interested in a history and philosophy of medicine.

Introduction 
Chapter 1. Factors of emergence of neurosurgery as a clinical specialty 
                  by Boleslav Lichterman

Chapter 2. Philosophical foundations of Harvey Cushing’s and Walter Dandy’s neurosurgical work
                  by Donlin Long

Chapter 3. Classification of head injury 
                  by Leonid Likhterman

Chapter 4. Doctrine of head injury sequelae
                  by Leonid Likhterman, Alexander Potapov, Alexander Kravchuk, Vladimir Okhlopkov

Chapter 5. Concept of phasic character of clinical course of traumatic brain injury
                  by Leonid Likhterman

Chapter 6. Methodology of diagnosis in neurosurgery
                  by Leonid Likhterman

Chapter 7. Clinical judgement in neurosurgery
                   by Leonid Likhterman

Chapter 8. Conceptual approaches to neurosurgical treatment
                   by Leonid Likhterman

Chapter 9. Preventive neurosurgery: philosophy and practice
                   by Leonid Likhterman

Chapter 10. Neuroethics and controversies of contemporary neurosurgery
                    by Leonid Likhterman and Boleslav Lichterman

Conclusion. A tree of philosophy of neurosurgery
                     by Leonid Likhterman