OCR Text |
Show Journal of Neum- Ophlhalmohj>\ 19( 1): 40- 41, 1999. © 1999 Lippincolt Williams & Wilkins, Inc., Philadelphia Book Reviews Mosby's Color Atlas and Text of Neurology, by G. David Perkin. Mosby- Wolfe, London, 1998, $ 39.95. Type of Book: This is a concise review and color atlas of neurology. Scope of Book: This book serves as a broad source of information and study guide for medical students and neurology residents. It does not pretend to be an in- depth analysis of symptoms or disease; rather, it provides a backbone for study. Contents: This book of 15 chapters is organized into two parts, with some overlap: Chapters 1 through 5 cover history- taking, physical examination, symptoms, and findings of neurology. Chapters 6 through 15 cover various broad categories of disease process and specific diseases. This is a practical text, proceeding in a logical order, as if covering an entire excellent medical school curriculum. It is, as the title implies, liberally sprinkled with clinical photographs, micrographs, scans, tests ( such as EEG), and, yes, fundus photography. Topics are summarized briefly, the degree of brevity depending on either the complexity or the frequency of the condition. There is another level of summarization in the form of simulated " sticky notes." The pages are peppered with these color- coded groups of bullet points: pink background for definitions, blue for symptoms, and yellow for key facts. There is much advice in test selection and patient management, often regarding when certain tests or treatments are not indicated, e. g., " Imaging is inappropriate in adults with an established pattern of migraine when there are no seizures and no focal signs outside an attack." Strengths: Organization is the word. The table of contents is easily skimmed, leading quickly to the desired chapter and section. Chapters are well- organized, and the sticky notes feature is useful to review and solidify points. For neuro- ophthalmology, the book covers well more common findings and diseases and is appropriately geared toward the audience armed with penlight and direct ophthalmoscope. Especially well- written are the sections on ischemic optic neuropathy and manifestations of multiple sclerosis. For the ophthalmologist with basic neurology training, it promotes and assists directed neurologic examination. Finally, it is a pleasure to find figures always on the same page as the text reference. Weaknesses: There are, entirely intentionally no doubt, no references. This book is, of course, not intended as a neuro- ophthalmology text, but three quibbles: first, there is a paucity of nystagmus localization information; second, on two occasions, lack of spontaneous venous pulsations is identified as an early sign of papilledema, without the obvious caveat; third, regarding Barrett Katz, M. D., M. B. A. pseudotumor cerebri, it is stated that " most remit within a few weeks." Recommended Audience: This is a useful review and reference for medical students and residents in neurology. It would be referred to by neuro- ophthalmologists and other ophthalmologists for a general overview of concepts and diseases. It would enhance communication and understanding between neuro- ophthalmologists/ general ophthalmologists and neurologists/ internists. Not recommended, nor intended for, practicing neurologists. Critical Appraisal: An enjoyable, readable, logically organized overview of the vast field of neurology. Recommended- a good place to quickly obtain nicely distilled information. Mitchell Vincent Gossman, M. D. Eye Clinic of Wisconsin Wausau, Wisconsin Degenerative Diseases of the Retina, edited by Robert E. Anderson, Matthew M. LaVail, and Joe G. Holly-field. Plenum Press, New York, 1995, $ 110.00. Type of Book: Proceedings of an International Symposium held in Jerusalem on November 6- 10, 1994. Scope of Book: A comprehensive overview of current knowledge of retinal degenerations at the molecular, biochemical, and cellular level in animal models and human disease. Contents: This book is divided into sections on apop-tosis ( programmed cell death), neurotrophic factors in retinal degenerations, vertebrate and invertebrate models of retinal degenerations, and miscellaneous studies. All topics are well covered. Strengths: The leading scientists working in each area have contributed readable and informative chapters in their areas of expertise. The chapters on light- induced apoptosis, pigment epithelium- derived factor, and Drosophila photoreceptor degenerations were particularly stimulating. Descriptions of experimental methodology have just the right level of detail, and the illustrations are uniformly excellent. There is more uniformity of style than I would have expected, given the multiple authors, and presumably this reflects the hard work of the editors. Weaknesses: The chapters on nitric oxide and Drosophila visual transduction were appetizers, whereas a full meal would have been more satisfying. Many chapters contain findings that have subsequently been published in scientific journals, and thus are slightly outdated. BOOK REVIEWS 41 However, this volume gathers a great deal of important information in one place, and, thus, this is not truly a drawback. Recommended Audience: Any retinocentric neuro-ophthalmologist will learn what is current in retinal degeneration by reading this volume. In so doing, they will also learn even more about contemporary understanding of retinal function. Critical Appraisal: Those desiring understanding of retinal degenerations, with the goal of generating hypotheses for research projects, would greatly benefit from familiarity with the contents of this book. Leonard A. Levin, M. D., Ph. D. University of Wisconsin Medical School Madison, Wisconsin Movement Disorders, Vol. 3, edited by C. David Mars-den and Stanley Fahn. Butterworth- Heinemann, Oxford, Great Britain, 1995, $ 140.00. Type of book: This is a multiauthored book dealing with important areas in the realm of movement disorders. It is the 1994 volume of the Butterworth- Heinemann Series in Neurology, a continuation of the well established Modern Trends in Neurology. Scope of Book: The goal of the editors is " to produce annually a monograph on a topic in clinical neurology in which progress through research has brought about new concepts of patient management." This is the third volume dealing with movement disorders. It is intended to appeal to neurologists in training, in practice, and in research. Contents: The volume is divided into three parts. The first part contains general topics such as the anatomy of the basal ganglia and genetic aspects of movement disorders. A chapter in this later section on abnormalities of eye movements in extrapyramidal diseases is of special interest to neuro- ophthalmologists. This chapter contains a brief description of supranuclear oculomotor anatomy and physiology, an account of techniques for the clinical examination of eye movements, a short and helpful update on the role of the basal ganglia in eye movement control, and a description of the oculomotor abnormalities of the various extrapyramidal diseases considered separately. The second part of the book is devoted to Parkinsonism and the third part to the dyskinesias. Strengths: The volume is well organized and deals with varied and interesting topics presented in a clear and readable manner. The conclusion at the end of each chapter is helpful in crystallizing the information that has been presented and provides a useful summary of the contents. The introductory chapters to parts two and three, in which the editors explain their choice of topics, link this volume to previous volumes in the series and highlight strategic issues and important advances in the field; these are especially helpful in providing cohesion and focus. Weaknesses: There are no egregious weaknesses. Only a few typographical errors were found. With the exception of a few references from 1993, the majority of the references are from 1992 and earlier. Recommended Audiences: This book is of considerable interest to the clinical neurologist, for whom it provides a good perspective of current knowledge as well as clearly and concisely presented state of the art information on topics in the field of movement disorders. Other than a chapter on Botulinum toxin therapy ( which contains information with which many practitioners arc already familiar), the only chapter of special interest to neuro- ophthalmologists is the one dealing with eye movement disorders in extrapyramidal disease. Critical Appraisal: This informative and well- written book on important topics in the field of movement disorders is appropriate for its intended audience. It helps clarify difficult areas and provides a wealth of useful theoretical and practical information. It is of value to the neuro- ophthalmic community in reminding and educating us about the role played by the basal ganglia in ocular motility. Dan Boghen, M. D. Hotel- Dieu de Montreal Montreal, Quebec, Canada ./ Neiiro- Oplillialmol. Vol. 19, No. I. 1999 |