if indications are defined by stringent criteria, the technique will gain an impor­ tant place particularly in pediatric otology. Its clinical indications can naturally not be covered in this volume. As the working space available is limited and the structures in it are very deli­ cate, the iatrogenic trauma associated with endoscopy must be minimized at all cost. This requires a profound understanding of anatomy. This volume will help the readers acquire or broaden it. April 2000 M. Tschabitscher C.Klug VI Acknowledgements The long tradition of the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Vienna to collaborate with clinical services, which was begun by HYRTL and continued by ZUCKERKANDL, TANDLER, PERNKOPF, v. HAYEK, GISEL, KRAUSE and FERNER, gene­ rated an atmosphere which still is singularly conducive to research in gross anatomy. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our work by the Medical School of the University of Vienna. But we are also indebted to AESCULAP, STORZ and ZEPPELIN companies for providing us with instruments. Our special thanks go to TONI NOBLES from NOBLES-LAI INC., who made the Hawk Vision System with its ultrathin flexible scopes available to us. Without it endoscopic work of this quality would not have been possible. With gratitude we recognize the assistance of Balas Fabinyi, M.D., semor resident at the ENT Service, Krems Hospital, in clinical matters. We are very grateful to Mag. Krista Schmidt for preparing the English-language manuscripts.