This volume is a compilation of papers presented at the Tenth International Symposium on Brain Edema held on October 20-23, 1996, in San Diego, California. This follows the sequence of meetings that was initiated 31 years ago in the First International Symposium held in Vienna. Subsequent symposiums were held in Mainz, Montreal, Berlin, Groningen, Tokyo, Baltimore, Bern, and Tokyo CY okohama). A considerable number of papers was chosen from over 100 papers that were received. The organizers wish to thank the Advisory Committee for the excellent work done in selection of the papers. We also wish to thank all the persons who contributed to the success of the Tenth International Symposium, especially the staff who worked behind the scenes. These papers were reviewed, edited, approved or disapproved by the Editorial Board. Those manuscripts that were felt not pertinent to this publication were not accepted by the Editorial Board. Therefore, the excellent quality of those that are in the book are a reflection of the authors' dedication and work and that of those of the Editorial Board in their review process. For the reader's convenience, the papers are structured according to the various disease processes which are associated with the primary topic: hypertension, hydrocephalus, infection, ischemia, tumor, etc. We do hope that the reader will enjoy the articles and that they will provide an impetus and insight for future work.