[Spasm of the cranio-cerebral vascular system]

A definition of spasm of the cranio-encephalic vascular system is followed by a study of problems of angiographic diagnosis. The main differential diagnosis are illustrated. A review of the regulation of the cerebral circulation is followed by a summary of the physiopathology of spasm. The importance of spasm in cerebral vascular pathology is discussed, whether manifestations of ischaemia, hypertensive encephalopathy or subarachnoid haemorrhage. The relations between spasm and trauma are then described, together with the metabolic and pharmacodynamic aetiologies. The study ends with a review of the principal methods for the prevention of spasm during general anaesthesia.