Book excerpt: Cerebral stroke is a common and widespread phenomenon affecting a large number of the human population worldwide. Various surgical methods have been developed for its treatment and the therapeutic results have steadily improved. This is a reassuring trend that promises further progress will be made in the future. This volume contains important contributions by leading clinicians and researchers in the field to the "International Symposium on Surgery for Cerebral Stroke" held in Sendai, Japan, May 24 - 27, 1987.