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The authors present the results of a survey of anesthesiologists members of the "SIAARTI (Società Italiana di Anestesia, Analgesia, Rianimazione e Terapia Intensiva) Committee for anesthesia and critical care in neurosurgery and neurology". Among the aims of the survey, was to evaluate when the interest in neuroscience of the members of this group started, and the clinical work dedicated to neuroanesthesia and critical care. At present, the group has grown to 143 members. In the questionnaire 105 members indicated the topic discussed for the medical degree thesis, and 87 indicated the thesis discussed for the board in anesthesia. As emerged from the topic of the thesis discussed for the medical degree, in 47% of the responders the interest in anesthesia began during the college. Of this, 6% chose a topic in neuroanesthesia and critical care. During the residency, the interest in neuroscience increased to 33%, that is 32 out of 97 responders discussed a thesis in neuroanesthesia and critical care. Forty-eight per cent of the members performs clinical work "exclusively" in neuroanesthesia, while 39% does it "mainly", and only 13% works in neurosurgery "fiftfully".

Two groups of 50 children were included in a study to examine the use of atracurium and vecuronium. In both groups, newborns and infants showed a shorter onset time and a longer clinical duration of the first dose of the neuromuscular blocking drug. The duration of subsequent doses in the various age groups was not significantly different. Atracurium and vecuronium both have a short recovery index, good cardiovascular stability and do not interfere with ICP. The Authors emphasise the importance of monitoring the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs.

Psychic trouble is not generally recognised as a possible complication of posterior fossa surgery. Reviewing a series of 63 pediatric patients operated on for posterior fossa intraxial tumors, the Authors found 21 cases of psychic troubles in the post-operative period. The incidence was higher in: a) medulloblastoma; b) rostral vermis location; c) supracerebellar infratentorial and transvermian approach. The neuropathophysiological basis of the phenomenon is discussed.

Proper placement of the pediatric neurosurgical patient is strictly correlated to age (newborn, toddler, infant, juvenile). Each age group is reviewed on the basis of different morphological and pathophysiological aspects of typical neurosurgical positions (prone, supine, sitting, lateral).

The authors, following a report on cerebral physiology in childhood, report their experience of ICP and the administration of new drugs in anaesthesiologic practice. The effects of isoflurane, propofol, atracurium, vecuronium on ICP are reported.

A retrospective study in a pediatric population of 324 severe head trauma patients hospitalized at Santobone Children's Hospital has been carried out; diagnostic investigations and therapeutic aspects are stressed on the baw of pathophysiological features of such patients.

The authors refer about a rare case of traumatic atlo-axial dislocation observed three months after the accident. The traumatic etiology was caused by an episode of violence within child's family. The characteristic of the lesion, the months intervened since the traumatic accident, the involved health of the patient and the importance of neurological damage imposed the surgical corrective treatment of the lesion. The authors report about the care of the patient, particularly about the anesthesiological techniques and intensive care during the surgical treatment.