Neurosurgery in Bologna, Italy From the early days to the foundation of the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

Neurosurgery in Bologna had its beginnings at the city's ancient University and Medical School. Founded in 1088, the University was initially devoted to legal studies under its earliest scholar, Irnerio, known as lucerna iuris. The School of Medicine became a full-fledged faculty only much later in 1219 when Taddeo Alderotti (1223-1303)-a renowned medical practitioner of his day-drafted its first comprehensive academic curriculum. The ensuing centuries saw many eminent surgeons like William of Saliceto (1201-1277), Jacopo Berengario da Carpi (1466-1530), and Pier Paolo Molinelli (1702-1764), perform skull trephination, mainly to treat head injuries. In 1637, the famous Anatomical Theater was built by Antonio Levanti to host anatomy lessons at the Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna University's prestigious headquarters from 1563 to 1803. Visiting the theater in 1901, Harvey Cushing called it: "…one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever seen". During the 19th century, neurosurgery further progressed when Francesco Rizzoli, Giacomo Filippo Novaro, and Alessandro Codivilla pioneered its application to treat tumors. Later, in the first half of the 20th century, Cesare Cavina and Africo Serra paved the way for the practice of modern neurosurgery in Bologna. This was followed in the 1950s by Mario Milletti's ground-breaking work at Bologna's Maggiore Hospital, which led to neurosurgery being recognized as an independent specialty. Milletti was followed by Fabio Columella, who, in 1960, moved the neurosurgical division to Bellaria Hospital, still today synonymous with neurosurgery in Bologna. During the period 1970-2000, Columella, his pupils and their successors turned Bellaria Hospital into an acknowledged center of neurosurgery excellence. This led to the establishment, in the 2000s, of the Institute of Neurological Sciences, a teaching hospital, whose mission to deliver responsible patient care, and train the next generation of neurosurgeons remains true to the original goals of Bologna's first School of Medicine.