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Show BOOK REVIEWS Section Editor: Neuro- Ophthalmology, 3rd Edition Joel S. Glaser, MD. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 1999. ISBN: 0- 7817- 1729- 9. Price: $ 149.00 Scope: This is a multiauthored text, ably edited by Dr. Joel S. Glaser. The book covers the diagnosis and management of clinical neuro- ophthalmologic disorders encountered by ophthalmologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuro- ophthalmologists. Contents: The book contains eighteen chapters. The first four chapters are designed to develop and refine basic neuro- ophthalmologic skills in history taking and examination. These chapters provide useful background material for trainees, primary care practitioners, and others unfamiliar with the basic approach to the neuro- ophthalmologic patient. The first two chapters, " The Neuro- ophthalmologic Case History: Elucidating the Symptoms," and " Neuro-ophthalmologic Examination: The Visual Sensory System," set the tone for the traditional systematic approach that is continued throughout the volume. The remaining chapters cover the spectrum of neuro- ophthalmologic problems in a traditional approach to signs and symptoms. Visual sensory problems are covered in separate chapters or subchapters for the retina, optic nerve, chiasm, retrochias-mal pathway, and disorders of higher visual function. Each section covers the practical aspects and nuances of eliciting the relevant history, developing a differential diagnosis, obtaining relevant laboratory and radiologic tests, and implementing a rational treatment. The sections on oculomotor disorders are similarly organized in topical neuroanatomic fashion. There is also a useful section on eye movement recording techniques by Drs. Dell'Osso and Daroff Additional chapters cover various problems that cut across neuroanatomic boundaries, including individual chapters on pediatric neuro- ophthalmology, aneurysms, and AVMs, and an exceptionally well- written and practical chapter on the dizzy patient, by Dr. Ronald Tusa. Strengths: The major strength of this volume is its uniformly systematic approach to diagnosis and management. Although it is a multiauthored text, it conveys a uniformly methodical approach that can be adopted by practitioners at any level. The information needed to develop this approach is conveyed in the first four chapters. The information needed to put the method to use is contained in the last fourteen chapters. Weaknesses: A chapter on neuro- imaging, as part of the introduction to neuro- ophthalmologic skills at the beginning of the volume, would have been a useful addition. There have been a number of important developments in neuro- ophthalmology that are not covered, including im- Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Una 176 " Katz, MD, MBA mune therapies for demyelinating disease and newer neuro-imaging techniques. However, this is a minor criticism as the accelerated pace of progress in the neurosciences means that any text will miss some new and important developments when it reaches print. Recommended audience: The book will be useful to practitioners at all levels who encounter neuro- ophthalmologic patients. Its readability makes it particularly attractive as a primary reference for ophthalmologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons, but it is readable by primary care practitioners as well. Experienced clinical neuro- ophthalmologists will also gain fresh insights from the volume, since the authors are all seasoned clinicians, and their approach will generally add something new, even for the most experienced. Critical appraisal: The editor is a highly respected neuro-ophthalmologist and medical educator. He has created a multiauthored text that conveys a unified and systematic approach to the diagnosis and management of clinical neuro- ophthalmologic disorders. The book provides the background for practitioners at all levels who require skills in the diagnosis and management of such patients. Joel M. Weinstein, MD University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin E- mail: jmweinst@ facstaff. wisc. edu Clinical Eye Atlas Daniel H. Gold, MD, and Richard Alan Lewis, MD, MS. American Medical Association Press, Chicago, 2002. ISBN: 1- 57947- 192- 7. Price: $ 129.95 Scope: This is a 1464- page, multiauthored atlas and textbook intended for all eye- care specialists. Contents: The book is divided into fourteen sections, covering all areas of ophthalmology. The organization of the book is very reader- friendly, including the index. Section editors are renowned in their areas and have assembled several contributing authors for their respective sections. There is very little repetition across sections, as one might fear in a book with over 50 contributors. Editors have done an exceptional job of collecting clinical photographs to augment their text. In addition, many histologic photographs are included to provide meaningful clinicopatholo-gic correlation. Almost every conceivable ocular condition is discussed, and in keeping with the title of the book, a representative color photograph is provided for each discussion. orized reproduction of this article is prohibited. JNeuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2003 BOOK REVIEWS JNeuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2003 The quality of the color reproductions is generally good. All conditions are summarized under the following headings: clinical features, basics, diagnosis, and management. Most atlases do not include such detail, which makes this atlas unique. Strengths: This atlas is one of the best ophthalmic atlases that I have seen. It is well written, well organized, and wonderfully illustrated. In addition, it is comprehensive and user- friendly. Weaknesses: There were no significant critical weaknesses to be noted here, aside from a handful of photographs ( less than 10) that were too dark to discern details. Recommended audience: The editors have succeeded in reaching their intended audience- all of us. Every eye- care professional will benefit by having a copy of this atlas, especially the junior and " on- call" ophthalmology resident. Critical appraisal: Daniel Gold and Richard Alan Lewis are well- respected clinicians. They have done an exceptional job and are to be commended for their work here. One cannot help but be impressed by the monumental task of collecting so many photographs spanning such breadth; given that ophthalmology is such a visually oriented specialty, a comprehensive atlas of this quality is a must for all clinicians. Anil D. Patel, MD, FRCSC, FACS University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon SK, Canada E- mail: anilpatel@ saskatoonhealthregion. ca Embryology of the Eye and its Adnexa, 2nd Edition Y. Robert Barrishak. S. Karger Publishers Inc., Basel, Switzerland, 2001. ISBN: 3- 805- 57179- 8. Price: $ 85.00 Scope: This is a compact single- authored monograph describing the embryonal and fetal development of the human eye, starting with fertilization and culminating with birth. It is organized along three parallel paths: embryogenesis, organogenesis, and differentiation. As such, it is a time line and atlas of the developing eye from fertilization through delivery. Contents: The book is divided into four sections. The first, embryogenesis, describes changes occurring over the first 4 weeks of fetal development. The second, organogenesis, delineates the changes expected between weeks 4 and 8; it includes the development of primary organ rudiments. The third section describes the differentiation of each of the primitive tissues into the fully active organ of the eye, and corresponds to that period which begins at the third month and ends at the ninth month of gestation. The fourth section is about changes at birth and thereafter. The text has a section of references that are both timely and classic. The index is complete and usefully organized. Strengths: This monograph is an updated, revised second edition. It sequentially relates the development from cleavage, blastulation, through gastulation and formation of the germ layers into the establishment of the eye; it describes what occurs, and on what calendar. The writing is clear and the reproductions are excellent. Figures are numerous and complimentary to the text. Thankfully, ultrastructural micrography is kept to a minimum. Weaknesses: As with any other text about embryology of the eye, this book relates changes over time, cell type by cell type. What such an approach fails to convey is the dynamics of such an extraordinary experiment of nature. One would rather read about how the disc gets to be where and what it is, at birth. Pioneer fibers and apoptosis could be incorporated as modern concepts that would do justice to a dynamic process of biology, rather than the static, common, sterile litany of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The difficulty with the traditional model of embryology is that it allows one to follow the individual lines of a musical score, yet not quite grasp the success of the orchestration. Recommended audience: This is a nice little book about embryology and embryogenesis. It does not break new ground, but it is concise enough to read, to digest, and to serve as a reference. The book will be of interest to those who wonder how the eye got to be. Critical appraisal: I think most readers are looking for a new type of embryologic text, perhaps one that focuses upon tissues rather than cells, and presents material in a new and clinical matrix. A story of how the eye evolved biologically and independently, in several circumstances, would add a valued dimension to this difficult topic. Such an evolutionary approach would add an extraordinarily meaningful addition to the embryologic literature and our understanding thereof. Nonetheless, this is a fine conventional, readable, overview of the embryology of the eye and its adnexa. Barrett Katz, MD, MBA The George Washington University Washington, DC E- mail: Bkatz@ mfa. gwu. edu CT of the Head and Spine Norbert Hosten, MD, and Thomas Liebig MD. Thieme Medical Publishing, New York, NY, 2002. ISBN: 1- 588- 90039- 8. Price: $ 129.00. Scope: This is a comprehensive textbook that offers an overview of computed tomography ( CT) of the head and Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 177 JNeuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2003 BOOK REVIEWS spine. The authors present their material and compare and contrast it to other imaging modalities, most notably magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI). This approach is extremely valuable for students, residents, and practitioners with an interest in imaging of the nervous system and a desire to understand the science and application thereof. Contents: The book is divided into two parts: CT of the head and CT of the spine. Each begins with a good review of normal anatomy as imaged by CT, as well as the clinical and technical aspects of CT technology. The material on head CT includes craniocervical trauma, cerebrovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, intracranial tumors, degenerative and demyelinating diseases, and congenital brain conditions. There is an additional chapter on facial and skull base anatomy. The spine CT section includes functional and structural abnormalities such as syringomyelia, dysraphic disorders, spinal trauma, degenerative diseases of the spine, intraspinal masses, and inflammatory diseases. Strengths: In this simple monograph, the authors have thoroughly reviewed the use of head and spinal CT in numerous diseases. Although the emphasis is on CT, the book contains detailed information on the current status of MRI. Indeed, at a time when clinicians and radiologists need to make a selection from the various imaging procedures available and choose the one that will be of greatest benefit to the patient, it is helpful to have such a comprehensive reference work that highlights the complementary roles of CT and MRI. There are numerous illustrations, mostly in black and white. The writing is clear and the chapters well organized, with abundant tables. The two chapters on anatomy and fundamental aspects of CT are superb. Weaknesses: Given how good CT is for imaging of the orbit, one would have liked a chapter entirely devoted to orbital diseases. The chapter on cerebrovascular disease is too cursory. Moreover, there is only one small paragraph on CT angiography. Recommended audience: This book is extremely valuable for students, residents, and practitioners learning the art of neuroimaging, and trying to apply it, in their clinical practice. Critical appraisal: This very practical text provides a thorough understanding of CT of the head and spine for both reference and teaching. It will be read, re- read, and used in patient care. Valerie Biousse, MD Emory University Atlanta, Georgia E- mail: vbiouss@ emory. edu Clinical Neurology of the Older Adult Joseph I. Sirven, MD, and Barbara L. Malamut, PhD. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2002. ISBN: 0- 781- 72789- 8. Price: $ 65.00. Scope: This is a multiauthored textbook of geriatric neurology. The authors are renowned researchers and clinicians who have thoroughly reviewed every aspect of neurology relevant to the older adult. Contributions come not only from neurology and neuroscience, but from internal medicine, radiology, psychiatry, and psychology. This text is extremely valuable for students and practitioners of all specialties with an interest in the older adult. Contents: The book is divided into four sections, including 35 chapters, each offering an overview of one particular area. Section I ( five chapters) provides details about the normal aging brain and its function, including information on diagnostic tests, pharmacology, and menopause. Section II ( six chapters) reviews common neurologic symptoms and signs of the elderly, such as confusion, syncope, dizziness, sleep disorders, tremors, back and neck pain, incontinence, and sexual disorders. There is one chapter entitled The Neuro- Ophthalmology of the Elderly. In Section III ( 13 chapters), neurologic disorders are summarized as they affect the elderly, with descriptions of their resultant cognitive disorders and neuropsychologic consequences. The topics are stroke, trauma, movement disorders, peripheral neuropathies, seizures, infections, cancer, and neurologic manifestations of systemic diseases. The last section ( five chapters) covers unique neurologically oriented issues of the elderly, including late life mood disorders, somatization, rehabilitation, long- term care options, and societal issues such as elder abuse and physician- assisted suicide. The appendix concludes with helpful information on organizations addressing the clinical care needs of an older population. Strengths: The editors have brought together a wide group of contributors who have thoroughly reviewed every aspect of neurology relevant to the elderly. There are a few illustrations, all in black and white. The writing style is clear, and the chapters well organized, with abundant tables and algorithms. Weaknesses: Some of the information included is too basic for neurologists; much of the book seems more directed to a primary care audience. Recommended audience: This book is extremely valuable for students and practitioners involved with the elderly. Critical appraisal: The monograph was assembled by experts in gerontology to provide accurate and timely information on the clinical care needs of the elderly. It offers much practical information, and will prove very useful to physicians treating a geriatric population; the subtleties of Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 178 © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins BOOK REVIEWS JNeuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2003 geriatric neurology for the neuro- ophthalmic community will have to be garnered elsewhere. Valerie Biousse, MD Emory University Atlanta, Georgia E- mail: vbiouss@ emory. edu Case Studies in the Neuropsychology of Vision Glyn W. Humphreys, PhD. Psychology Press, Hove, East Sussex, England, 1999. ISBN0- 863- 77895- X. Price: $ 52.00. Scope: In the vein of Oliver Sachs' The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, this book offers a series of cases relating to various aspects of higher cortical processing of vision. It includes discussion of the neuroanatomy involved, the neuropsychologic tests used to document and measure the cognitive loss, and relates relevant experimental data and similar reported cases. Contents: The text is divided into several sections, each authored separately. Section titles include " Motion Blindness," " Cerebral Achromatopsia," " Integrative Agnosia," " Aperceptive Agnosia," " Vision and Visual Mental Imagery," " Optic Aphasia," " Covert Recognition," and " Anosognosia in Prosopagnosic Patients." Each section typically includes an introduction of the topic, representative case presentations, analysis and description of appropriate neuropsychologic assessment, a review of the literature, and a unifying discussion. Strengths: Each section ( and case) presents an interesting example that introduces a discussion of neuropsychologic aspects of visual processing. Each case is presented in exquisite detail, including the neuropsychological testing. Findings are then correlated with experimental findings in animal models. All sections are written by experts in their field, primarily from departments of psychology throughout the world. Topics are well organized, well written, and well referenced. Weaknesses: All the cases are interesting. At first glance the book might be thought easy reading; this turns out not to be so, as this is not an introductory text. Some basis of understanding of the more detailed aspects of visual neuropsychologic testing is presumed. This assumption is problematic for the ophthalmology- trained neuro-ophthalmologist. The last section, " Relations Among the Agnosias," might have better been presented earlier, and a review of the basics of neuropsychologic testing would too have been useful. Recommended audience: This book is directed towards those neurologists, psychologists, and neuro-ophthalmologists who wish to gain additional knowledge about the neuropsychology of vision, and do so in a case based method. Critical appraisal: These cases present excellent examples of various aspects of the higher cortical functioning of vision. They stimulate the reader and present critical experimental information and discussion of visual processing. I would highly recommend this series of experiments of nature to all those who practice any aspect of neuroscience, from clinician to basic scientist. Mitchell B. Strominger, MD Department of Ophthalmology Tufts University- New England Medical Center Boston, MA Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 179 |