The introduction of multidetector spiral CT into clinical practice is without any doubt one of the most important technical developments in the field of computed tomography in general, and spiral CT in particular, in recent years. Indeed, multislice CT technology, based on the spiral CT technique invented by W. Kalender almost 20 years ago, has opened immense and totally new perspectives for better utilisation of contrast medium during the examination, for optimal multiplanar reconstruction and for increased patient throughput. The potential applications, more specifically in the area of CT angiography of the brain and the heart and vessels, are most interesting and definitely contribute to better patient care as well as to more effi­ cient utilisation of equipment. These exciting new clinical applications explain the keen desire of radiologists and other clinicians to hear and learn more about the first results obtained with this new equipment in daily clinical practice. This book will satisfy their needs. Professor Maximilian F. Reiser was among the first to install multidetector CT in his department in Munich and to gain experience with this new radiological tool. He was also able to organise a very successful and well attended international meeting on this hot topic as early as z 2000 in Starnberg, Germany.