Function and disease of the pituitary gland have long been at the center of research interest. Based on a recent meeting held at Iguazu Falls, Argentina, this volume of Frontiers of Hormone Research highlights scientifically exciting and clinically relevant areas in this fast-developing filed. Renowned specialists and experts from Latin and...

The pancreas is an unobtrusive organ, and the prospects and possibilities of solving the physiological and pathological nature of its behavior are numerous. When conducting a pathological study or an investigation of the pancreas, it is important to consider its anatomical and embryological basis as well as the occurrence of age-related...

Otosclerosis is a disorder causing a hardening of the middle ear bones which leads to a progressive hearing loss. Internationally renowned experts met in Saas Fee (Switzerland) in 2004 to discuss otosclerosis and stapes surgery, and they have subsequently been invited by the editor to present their findings in this publication. From basic to...

This book reviews current opinions of the role of fine-needle biopsy (FNB) in the diagnosis of both diffuse and nodular thyroid disease and presents cytological diagnostic criteria and histological correlation for most entities. The history of FNB of the thyroid is briefly reviewed, followed by a summary of basic anatomical and physiological...

Over the years, there has been much controversy regarding whether today’s children and adolescents are fitter than their peers of the past and whether they are fitter if they live in the more affluent than the less affluent countries. This publication starts by examining data cumulated since the late 1950s on secular trends and...

Cystic fibrosis used to be thought of as a respiratory and digestive disease, with a uniformly and rapidly fatal outcome. The spectrum of the disease has broadened into the mild atypical case, presenting in middle age, with the potential for complications in virtually every system of the body. In the past few years there has been an explosion...

Chemosensory dysfunction is a quite frequently occurring problem which significantly affects the patient's quality of life. It can result from infectious agents, environmental factors, toxins, traumatic brain injuries, as well as neurodegenerative diseases. This publication provides up-to-date articles on the chemical senses including the...

All motor behavior is characterized by sensory inputs causing specific motor reactions. Because humans modify motor reactions voluntarily or through experience, this input-output relation is more complex in humans than in lower vertebrates. Eye movements provide a window on fundamental brain function, not only for topographic diagnosis of...

Group A streptococcal pharyngitis is one of the most common, but also controversial infections clinicians are faced with every day. Clinical diagnosis is often not specific; laboratory data can be misleading and are frequently misinterpreted. Despite the in vitro effectiveness of penicillin, it does not always eradicate the organism from the...

Because of the huge clinical experience that has been accumulated in radiosurgery, it seems timely to explore and process out systematically pathological fundamentals on the effect of focused irradiation. The better understanding of radiobiology will enhance the outcomes of radiosurgical procedures. Renowned experts from all over the world...

This book summarizes the current knowledge on how tumors interact with the nervous system and what impact this might have for the progression and treatment of cancer. It begins with an introduction to the organization and physiology of the nervous system, especially of the peripheral nervous system with its high degree of plasticity....

Today cochlear implants are the most successful of all prostheses of the nervous system. They are used in individuals who are deaf or suffer from a severe hearing deficiency caused by loss of cochlear hair cells. Auditory brainstem implants provide stimulation of the cochlear nucleus and are used in patients with an auditory nerve...