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Show BOOK REVIEWS Neuro- Ophthalmology: The Practical Guide Leonard A. Levin, MD, PhD, and Anthony C. Arnold, MD, Editors. Thieme, New York, 2005. ISBN: 1- 58890- 183- 1, $ 169.95. Scope: This 500- page book covers the fundamental topics in neuro- ophthalmology in 50 chapters written by respected specialists. Its aim is to provide very practical guidance to ophthalmologists and neurologists. There are relatively few references. Some chapters have no references, providing only suggested readings. As such, this is more of a manual than a textbook. It is divided into four sections: examining techniques, principal manifestations, principal conditions, and procedures. Strengths: The field is broadly covered and the critical information is highlighted with flow- charts, tables, bulleted text, and illustrations. Many of the chapters really do tell you how to do things. There is even a chapter on billing for neuro- ophthalmologic diseases. Weaknesses: The style of presentation and writing quality varies too widely between chapters. Some are elegantly written and nicely organized with an aesthetic appearance. Others consist mostly of bulleted, flagged, or boxed text crowded out by flow charts, schematic illustrations, and patient photographs. The effect is dizzying. Recommended audience: Ophthalmologists and neurologists. Critical appraisal: This book contains much practical information, but it is going to have trouble finding an audience. There is too much for the intended audience and too little for neuro- ophthalmologists. The next edition will benefit from greater attention to uniformity of presentation and more judicious use of educational devices. Jonathan D. Trobe, MD Kellogg Eye Center Ann Arbor, Michigan Manual of Neurologic Therapeutics, 7th Edition Martin A. Samuels, MD, FAAN. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2004. ISBN: 0- 7817- 4646- 9, $ 49.00. Scope: This is a compact text laid out in 17 chapters that pertain to specific categories of neurological disease. Each chapter then discusses each subcategory of disease using the following headings: background, pathophysiology, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. Twenty- eight pages are dedicated to neuro- ophthalmology written by Don Bienfang, MD, but there are other chapters that also discuss various aspects that touch on neuro- ophthalmology. Strengths: The greatest strength of this book is its compact size. The writing is brief and very economical. The book is pocket- sized and fits well into a white coat pocket for residents and medical students and compact enough for a busy attending's bookshelf. Where this book excels is the clear and concise list of therapeutics for each disease listed. The textbook is also offered on PDA, adding to its viability as a resource. Weaknesses: To learn more specifics about the clinical presentation of illness, one must look elsewhere. However, more detail would have greatly added to the book's size and portability. Frankly, the section on multiple sclerosis is almost too verbose. Recommended audience: Neurologists of all experience levels would benefit from this book. It should also be a great book for ophthalmologists who manage neurologic patients with vision problems. Critical appraisal: This is an excellent small textbook that can be used as a quick reference guide in treating a wide variety of neurologic and neuro- ophthalmologic disorders. This book will assist the reader in determining the basics of a treatment paradigm for many illnesses within a short time of locating the pages in the book. Robert A. Egan, MD Casey Eye Institute Portland, Oregon Vision: From Neurons to Cognition Christain Casanova, PhD, and Maurice Ptito, PhD, Editors. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, 2001. ISBN: 0- 444- 50586- 5, $ 215.95. Scope: This book is the product of a symposium of the same name held in May 2000 in Montreal. The range of topics is large, ranging from the first chapter on the effects of glutamate in retinal ganglion cells to selective attention. Most of the book is devoted to work based on animal neurophysiology with a de- emphasis of psychophysics, psychology, and neuropsychology. 68 I Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Book Reviews J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 As with all multi- authored books, there is significant variation among the chapters. There are experimental papers that would be at home in the pages of The Journal of Neuroscience, scientific reviews that advance a particular hypothesis, and basic reviews appropriate for a general audience. This veritable potpourri forces the reader to shift gears in moving between chapters, perhaps not a bad thing. One discovers that this is a collection of papers without a theme, except that all involve vision. Strengths: The chapter by Cowey and Walsh on transcranial magnetic stimulation is as good an introduction to the technique for the uninitiated as I have seen anywhere. The article by Pascual- Leone and Hamilton details an intriguing exploration of the question of what exactly it means for visual cortex to be " visual," by using transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional MRI ( fMRI) to study the shift in function of the occipital cortex towards tactile processing in the blind and the blindfolded. Two chapters detail important challenges to the alternate pathway explanations of Hindsight. Fendrich, Wessinger, and Gaz-zaniga review their data on the relation of Hindsight to islands of surviving vision, and presumably surviving striate cortex; Faubert and Diacomi describe with mathematical detail the potential for intra- ocular scatter to explain the data supporting Hindsight in hemidecorticated patients. This work provides some comfort to Campion, Latto, and Smith who were castigated by the research community for similar arguments in 1982. Schiller and Tehovnik provide a good summary of neurophysiologic data on the role of different cortical regions in generating saccades, complementing the reviews based on human lesions that Pierrot- Deseilligny has written in other periodicals. I found the chapter by Kaas and Lyon on whether primates have an area V3 to be an intriguing example of the vagaries involved in denning a cortical area. Last, Goodale provides another excellent overview of the experiments supporting the notion that extrastriate cortex is divided into a dorsal stream for action preparation and a ventral stream for object recognition. Weaknesses: The range of material covered is uneven. At least five of the chapters are devoted to Hindsight, the main research field of one of the editors. On the other hand, there is no treatment of face recognition, and there is only one chapter devoted to reading research and the magnocellular theory of dyslexia. Given the explosion in functional neu-roimaging, there is a surprising lack of fMRI data. The one chapter on fMRI and the Stroop task has the odd distinction of being the only functional neuroimaging paper I have seen without any figures. Recommended audience: Pure clinicians will not likely consider this book helpful, and those lacking experience in neurophysiology will find the early chapters heavy reading. However, those who are involved in research on cortical visual dysfunction will find much of interest. Critical appraisal: This book should not be sought as a comprehensive review of visual neuroscience. But it is an interesting " Year 2000" snapshot of the state of vision research, particularly in neurophysiology. It is disappointing that the publishers have taken such a long time to deliver such a time- sensitive book. I would have been happier to have it on my shelf a few years ago. Jason J. S. Barton, MD, PhD, FRCPC University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia Active Vision: The Psychology of Looking and Seeing John M. Findlay, PhD, and Iain M. Gilchrist, PhD. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003. ISBN: 0- 19- 852480- 3 ( hardcover), $ 115.00. Scope: In this text, the authors put forward their thesis that the study of vision, in concentrating on photo transduction and signal processing, has ignored the central role of eye movements. They provide a review of their own work and of the scientific literature. The book contains three sections ( nine chapters) that are written by the two authors and their colleagues. The first section ( of three chapters) provides background and rationale for the idea of active vision, which the authors contrast with passive vision ( the more prevalent view of the visuomotor system). The basic physiology of the retinal pathways and the oculomotor apparatus are reviewed briefly in this context. The authors define passive vision as being, in part, the notion that an observer can give all points on the classic retinotopic map the same level of attention; the practical matter of foveation suggests otherwise. In the passive vision model, covert attention to extrafoveal targets is postulated to result from the activity of an attentional spotlight. Such a model relies on the notion of a " picture in the head" of the entire environment, a concept the authors believe has erroneously arisen from inappropriate application of earher research into aural processing. The active vision argument is that eye movements are not randomly generated nor do they result from objects in the visual field being assigned covert visual attention. Rather, eye movements are presented as primary events to facilitate vision by bringing objects of interest onto the fovea, and the typical three to four saccades per second are not merely the consequence of attentional redirection. The second section ( of three chapters) details the pathways by which visual attention is generated and the 69 Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 Book Reviews influence of attention on subsequent saccades. Experimental models are detailed, and saccadic latency, intersaccadic pauses, and saccadic redirection are addressed in the context of active vision pathways. Visual scanning is shown to occur in typical patterns which can be altered by presentation of temporally- constrained visual cues. Of particular note is the discussion of visual sampling during reading ( chapter five), in which the authors review a significant body ofdata describing text scanning methods and the effect of distracting words or letters and other unexpected objects. The third section ( three chapters) examines the role of active vision in object- related actions, or tasks in which gaze and attention must be frequently redirected. The integration of eye movements into cognitive processes is explored, and a deictic model of vision is introduced. Eye pointing is predicted to precede physical pointing with a limb or tool to complete the intended task. Such a just- in-time visual representation, where the eyes move to the target of regard just prior to physical movement, is postulated to minimize the brain's computational load ( which, in the passive vision model, would be tremendous to maintain a detailed representation of all objects in the environment). The section concludes with an integrated model of saccadic generation and trans- saccadic integration. Strengths: Very well- written and extensively researched, this text is also concise enough to provide an introduction to the cognitive vision field without being overwhelming. Illustrations are used effectively to explain concepts presented in the text. Weaknesses: The chapter on human neuropsychology is too brief. While the authors describe a number of interesting syndromes and cases, this chapter seems to raise more questions than it answers. Recommended audience: While the intended audience is clearly neuropsychologists, psychology students, and basic vision researchers, the text is quite accessible to ophthalmologists, neurologists, and others with a core knowledge of the oculomotor system and the neural pathways of visual processing. Critical appraisal: The authors concisely and convincingly review their own work and that of others to demonstrate that eye movements are an important element in the cognitive process of active vision. They show that a passive model of vision is not sufficient to explain experimental data, and their very readable view of this challenging field of research is to be appreciated. Prem S. Subramanian, MD, PhD The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Bethesda, Maryland The Cat Primary Visual Cortex Bertram R. Payne, PhD, and Alan Peters, PhD, Editors. Academic Press, San Diego, 2002. ISBN: 0- 12- 552104- 9, $ 220.95. Scope: This is a comprehensive scientific reference book that encompasses the functional architecture, physiology, and pharmacology of the cat's primary visual cortex. The cat's visual cortex is the primary model for the study of visual processing, cerebral circuitry, and cerebral processing. The first chapter describes how both areas 17 and 18 process primary signals from the lateral geniculate nucleus in parallel and in distinct and overlapping ways. Subsequent chapters describe the representational architecture of areas 17 and 18 as revealed by optic imaging, 2- deoxyglucose, and functional MRI techniques. These chapters provide an overall view of the functional columnar architecture of cat primary visual cortex at the level of neural systems. The anatomic studies depict the organization of afferent and efferent connections within one hemisphere and between hemispheres. Next, long-range intrinsic circuitry is reviewed from the perspective of anatomy and the emergence of orientational and directional preferences of neurons. The ending chapters provide a review of the relationship between B- retinal ganglion cells and the primary visual cortex, the role of the primary visual cortex in visually- guided behavior, high acuity vision, hyperacuity, and stereoscopic depth perception. Strengths: This book gives the relevant details necessary for understanding the scientific basis of visual processing. The references listed at the end of each chapter are an excellent resource for most of the classic literature. Weaknesses: None. Recommended audience: This is an excellent reference book for the neuroscientist and the neuro- ophthalmologist involved in basic research on the primary visual cortex. Critical appraisal: This book summarizes the continuing saga of the exciting research pioneered by Nobel Prize winners David Hubel, PhD and Torsten Wiesel, PhD. It is one of the best books to read for a better understanding of the cortical processing of visual signals. Jane W Chan, MD University of Nevada School of Medicine Las Vegas, Nevada 70 © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Book Reviews J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 The Neuropsychology of Vision Manfred Fahle, MD, and Mark Greenlee, PhD, Editors. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003. ISBN: 0- 19- 850582- 5, $ 110.00. Scope: This book takes on the daunting task of evaluating the wealth of information that has been collected over the past few decades concerning visual perception and cognition. Bringing together the knowledge of 17 vision researchers from Europe and the United States, the book expertly and easily clarifies the numerous studies that have been performed on both animals and humans that define what we presently know about the process of vision. It is well- written and leads the reader, in an understandable way, from the retinal ganglion cell to the rehabilitation of patients with cerebral visual disorders. The book is a collection of 11 chapters written by leading vision researchers, each discussing their particular area of expertise. The chapters are logically grouped into six parts that begin with the anatomy and physiology of the visual system and lead to the increasingly complex concepts of psychophysical studies and recovery of cognitive function. The illustrations adequately compliment the text to help explain visual pathways and research models. Also included are several color plates to help with the understanding of chromaticity and luminance. There is an excellent and extensive bibliography at the end of each chapter to allow for a deeper understanding of each subject. Strengths: This is an excellent review of the present state of research on the intricate workings of visual perception, processing, and cognition. The text is surprisingly straightforward and easy to read, especially for anyone with a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the visual system. The book describes in great detail what we presently understand about visual perception and the clinical syndromes associated with cerebral lesions that affect visual consciousness. The chapters on color perception and motion detection help untangle the confusing plethora of pathways. Weaknesses: There are few weaknesses in this text, especially when one considers the amount of research that has been generated about visual processing since the seminal work of Hubel and Weisel over four decades ago. The last two chapters on " Perception, Memory, and Agnosias" and " Recovery and Rehabilitation of Cerebral Visual Disorders" are relatively sparse; they could have included more case studies and research relevant to the clinician. Some of the information has already been modified by studies published in the year since this book was printed. Additional illustrations would have been helpful in understanding some of the more difficult areas of cognition such as the agnosias. The index is inadequate. Recommended audience: This is an excellent text for any graduate student in vision research or for the clinician who wishes to gain a complete understanding of visual perception and processing. The style of each of the authors is relatively uniform, clear, and rationally structured, a feat for which the editors deserve credit. Critical appraisal: Having most of the studies that have been performed on visual processing summarized in one volume makes this text a wonderful addition to the library of any neurologist, neuro- ophthalmologist, or neuroscien-tist. For those with limited time to track down information on visual perception and the corresponding cerebral lesions, this is the one book to have. Do not be put off by the title and think that this is just for laboratory folks. The editors have put together a marvelous text in what was obviously a Herculean endeavor. August L. Reader, III, MD, FACS California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco, California Visual Agnosia, 2nd Edition Martha J. Farah, PhD. The MIT Press, Cambridge, 2004. ISBN: 0- 262- 56203- 0, $ 25.00. Scope: This compact paperback book is the expanded work of an author whose first edition was the best comprehensive analysis of disorders of visual recognition when first published in 1990. The 14- year interval since hardback publication has seen a tremendous growth in the field due to functional neuroimaging, which has transformed cognitive neuroscience research and has been incorporated in this handy text. Contents: This concise book consists of 10 well- written chapters that detail what is known about visual perception and recognition. Each chapter describes a different form of a disorder in visual recognition with successive chapters building on the information of the others. Clinical examples of each type of agnosia are taken from the literature with correlations from neuropathology and functional neuroimaging. The book includes chapters discussing visual form agnosia, dorsal simultanagnosia, ventral simultanag-nosia, pure alexia, and optic aphasia. New chapters on topographic recognition disorders, general and selective semantic memory, and expanded descriptions of prosopagnosias are added to this edition. The final chapter summarizes what is known about visual perception when all parts are functioning normally. Strengths: This well- written book contains all the clinically useful information about visual agnosias as well 71 Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 Book Reviews as background for the laboratory researcher. The clinical examples are classic for each disorder and give the reader the tools to differentiate some of the subtleties. The illustrations and figures are excellent. The use of neuro-imaging and neuropathology correlations adds a distinct flavor to the theories of which pathways are involved with each deficit. The references are plentiful and pertinent. The index is adequate. Weaknesses: It is hard to find any weakness in a book that is probably the most authoritative work on its particular subject. However, I believe that the book would be enhanced if pictures were included of the functional MRI, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, or other neuroimaging studies pertinent to each case. Recommended audience: Although written by a PhD neuropsychologist, this useful volume should be in the library of any clinical neurologist, neurosurgeon, or neuro-ophthalmologist. Critical appraisal: This is the best available book on visual agnosias and is absolutely needed by anyone who deals with these fascinating patients. August L. Reader, III, MD, FACS California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco, California The History of Moorfields Eye Hospital. Volume III: Forty Years On Peter K. Leaver, FRCS, FRCO. Royal Society of Medicine Press, London, 2004. ISBN: 1- 85315- 580- 2, $ 58.00. Scope: This is a comprehensive account of the past 40 years at Moorfields Eye Hospital, a world- renowned ophthalmic hospital, said to be the busiest in the Western world, and now one of the few ( possibly the only) single-specialty self- governing, non- psychiatric hospital in the United Kingdom. This third volume covers only 40 years out of the 200 since John Cunningham Saunders founded The Royal London Ophthalmic from which, together with the Central London Ophthalmic and the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic, Moorfields originated. It follows Volumes I and II, by Treacher Collins ( 1929) and Frank Law ( 1975), respectively. The first part, " A General Account," describes the hospital's development with particular reference to the rapidly changing political imperatives, the 40 years under consideration comprising more than two- thirds of the duration of the National Health Service. The " Clinical, Nursing and Clinical Support Services" section deals with the hospital's application of developments in the United States such as indirect ophthalmoscopy ( by Lorimer Fison) and borulinum toxin therapy ( John Lee). Attention is drawn to the powerful influence of several ophthalmologists, including Barrie Jones, to whom the book is dedicated, Alan Bird, Noel Rice, Peter Wright, Arthur Steele, Peter Watson, John Wright, and Richard Collin. There are several references to the challenge of providing a neuro- ophthalmology service within the setting of an ophthalmic hospital. In chapters entitled " Academe" and " The Organisation," the author admits that research is given relatively little consideration in the belief that it would be dealt with better in the context of a history of the Institute of Ophthalmology, the research institute allied to the hospital. Strengths: Writing about one's peers is difficult and potentially treacherous. But Peter Leaver, who retired from Moorfields Eye Hospital in 2000, provides a balanced account in a gentle narrative format that reflects his even-handedness and has already been well- received by the Moorfields community. The relationship between Moorfields and the rest of the British ophthalmic community has not always been easy. Away from London, the worldwide reputation of Moorfields is accepted but not necessarily promoted. Near London, the relationship is often strained and sometimes hostile, especially where the political imposition of a market economy has caused difficulties for other ophthalmic units. Moorfields' determination to survive despite the various government initiatives has often been interpreted by others as reflecting an attitude of superiority and domination, facilitated by the advantage of only having to cope with a single relatively profitable specialty. The author makes clear that it has been difficult for a relatively small, well- organized hospital restricted to ophthalmology to survive the various initiatives in health care. How difficult in comparison it has been for larger hospitals to deal with the innumerable targets set by successive governments can only be surmised, but a particular achievement of this book is the clear documentation of how healthcare in the United Kingdom has been dominated by political factors, driven to some extent by socioeconomic factors, rather than by clinical necessity. This is a very intimate picture of life at Moorfields, encompassing even the role of porters and telephone switchboard staff. Several sections of the text are italicized to delineate stories, directly attributable or apocryphal, or quotes from interviews. Some parts are especially amusing, including the exhortation to John Hungerford, when appointed as a Consultant specializing in oncology despite no previous experience that he should not go to the United States to acquire experience because " we shall look a 72 © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Book Reviews J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 laughing stock, if you do that. Get stuck in and learn as you go along!" John Hungerford did acquire the necessary skills and experience, maintaining that he had been able to do so with the benefit of an open mind. Weaknesses: Material is repeated but, as the author notes in the Preface, this is difficult to avoid when each section is intended to be freestanding. For some readers the text may seem too introspective and self- congratulatory. The book is principally about the desire to control adult and pediatric ophthalmology services across London and the neighboring areas, advocated as improving patient care but perceived externally as ruthless expansionism. There is little about the influence of Moorfields nationally and internationally or critical analysis of achievements in the face of political necessity. Whereas at the beginning of this period of history, virtually all aspiring ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom and abroad were determined to spend time at Moorfields, the development of many high quality departments of ophthalmology outside London has reduced the flow to Moorfields. There is some reference to deficiencies, such as the slow acceptance of intraocular lenses. Those who do not understand the reluctance of the British ophthalmic community to acclaim Sir Harold Ridley's contribution to the development of intraocular lenses will find some explanation here. Recommended audience: The primary audience will be those who have experienced Moorfields directly, whether as a member of the medical, nursing, paramedical, clerical, or administrative staff, or even as a patient. But anyone interested in ophthalmic history will benefit from reading this book. Anyone wishing to understand the political influences on the National Health Service during the past 40 years should certainly read Part 1 for a well- written, comprehensive, and fair account. Critical appraisal: Although written about a specific organization, this book strongly reaffirms the statement by the psychiatrist R. D. Laing ( 1927- 1989) that " we live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing." For that reason, documentation of such history is crucial. It amply fulfils the author's intention " to satisfy the curiosity of anyone who wants to know what makes Moorfields tick." The jacket illustration of the Moorfields clock, erected to mark the hospital's centenary on its current site and in the shape of an eye, is particularly apposite. Paul Riordan- Eva, FRCOphth King's College Hospital London, United Kingdom Sight Unseen: An Exploration of Conscious and Unconscious Vision Melvin A. Goodale, PhD, FRCS, and A. David Milner, PhD. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004. ISBN: 0- 19- 851052- 7, $ 37.50. Scope: In this 135- page book, the reader is introduced to a young woman who lost her sight in a tragic accident 15 years ago. We follow her extensive neuropsychologic evaluation and progress, woven into the authors' theory of a dual visual system. " Dee" has lost the ability to recognize shape and form, yet she retains the ability to act on what she sees ( picking up a coffee cup, ambulating). The authors postulate a system for action that is separate from a system for conscious vision. They proceed through testing and comparison with patients with opposite defects, concluding with support from newly available neuroimaging studies ( functional MRI). Color plates give brilliant examples of face recognition, along with anatomic correlation of areas under discussion. The chapters are in narrative form, interspersed with boxes and figures that detail the neuroscientific principles. One gets the sense this is a work in progress, as advances in neuroscience allow confirmation or refutation of the proposed theories. Strengths: The book can be understood without extensive scientific or neurologic background. The narrative style is appealing and conveys the authors' excitement about their topic. This book is written by consummate teachers with the ability to pass on their delight to their students. Weaknesses: There is excessive repetition, more than is needed to get the points across. One wonders if this isn't the result of expanding a monograph into a book. Recommended audience: Anyone who is fascinated by brain function will enjoy this read. The text is appropriate reading for physicians, neuropsychologists, psychotherapists, and family members of patients with cognitive visual dysfunction. This book should be read by all ophthalmology residents to broaden their perspective and also teach them that there is still a lot to be learned about how and what we see. Critical appraisal: The authors have spectacular credentials: Goodale is Professor of Psychology at the University of Western Ontario, Canada; Milner is Professor of Applied Psychology University of Durham, Queen's Campus, United Kingdom. They began to work together over 30 years ago in St. Andrews, Scotland. This book puts a human touch on their years of research in cognitive vision. It reminds us that there is much to be learned from our 73 Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 Book Reviews patients, those individuals who must live with the visual problems we diagnose. Sharon Kuritzky, MD Amherst, NY Atlas of Neuro- Ophthalmology Thomas C. Spoor, MD, FRCS. Taylor & Francis Group, London, 2004. ISBN: 1- 85317- 773- 3, $ 225.00. Scope: This is a color atlas covering a wide range of common and uncommon neuro- ophthalmic and orbital disorders. In this revised and updated edition, the author has compiled clinical photographs spanning greater than 20 years of his career experience. These photographs are accompanied by explanatory text, neuroimaging, anatomic illustrations, and intra- operative images. The book is divided into two parts. The first is dedicated to the afferent visual system and covers the pupil, visual loss from both neuro- ophthalmic and non-neuro- ophthalmic causes, optic nerve disorders, and trauma. The second part focuses on the efferent visual system and includes sections on ptosis, horizontal and vertical motility dysfunction, parasellar syndromes, and orbital disorders. Strengths: The author has strived to show the reader clinical presentations ranging from the very obvious to the very subtle. The color photographs are of high quality as is the neuroimaging. There are excellent sections on retinal disease causing unexplained visual loss as well as on papilledema and pseudotumor cerebri. The author has also included detailed surgical techniques on temporal artery biopsy, optic nerve sheath fenestration, and select strabismus procedures with accompanying diagrams. The last section on the orbit gives an extensive overview of mass lesions and inflammatory diseases which can present in both pediatric and adult populations. Weaknesses: Numerous figures are mislabeled. The laterality seen in the clinical photograph often does not match the neuroimaging. Fundus photographs or visual fields are often reversed. There are multiple errors in the text of the legends. The pathology seen on neuroimaging and intra- operative photographs is not selectively labeled. The illustrations of cranial nerve anatomy are small and difficult to follow. The first section on the pupil is neither well- written nor well- organized. Most of the text is written freestyle with interspersed case studies and few references. The author often interjects his opinions and comments intended to be humorous clinical pearls. They are distracting. Recommended audience: Residents as well as neurologists and ophthalmologists will find this book helpful, particularly when reviewing for board examinations. It is not intended to be a basic text for medical students or to serve as an in- depth reference for neuro- ophthalmology. Critical appraisal: This book is a valuable atlas for those wishing to become familiar with a variety of neuro-ophthalmic disorders, with the caveat that some of the figures are mislabeled. Rudrani Banik, MD Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York Comprehensive Neurosurgery Board Review Jonathan S. Citow, MD, Robert L. MacDonald, MD, PhD, Richard P. Kraig, MD, PhD, and Robert L. Wollmann, MD, PhD. Thieme, New York, 2000. ISBN: 0- 86577- 889- 2, $ 99.95. Scope: This is a 500- page paperback compendium of the information a neurosurgeon needs to know to pass the board examinations. Covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiology, neurology, neurosurgery, and critical care, the material is mostly in outline form. But the outline is dressed up with interesting nuggets of information. It is written largely by the first author, a clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of Chicago, backed by his co- authors, another neurosurgeon, a neurologist- neuro-physiologist, and a neuropathologist at the University of Chicago. The subject matter is what Dr. Citow, the first author, found important and useful in his own preparation for the boards. Strengths: The vast knowledge base of neurosurgery is astutely reduced to a very manageable spread. Above all, the information is practical- the essence of what you must know to take care of patients. The information is also interesting, which reflects not merely the inherently fascinating doings of the nervous system, but the intelligence and teaching skill of the authors. Besides the text, there are very good tables, radiographic images, schematic illustrations, and histopathologic pictures. Weaknesses: Outlines, even when they are fleshed out with illustrations, become a tiresome read. They are casts of characters with just a hint of the stories. 74 © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Book Reviews J Neuro- Ophthalmol, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006 Recommended audience: Although this book is aimed at the neurosurgeon- in- training, there is much a neuro-ophthalmologist would wish to know. When smart authors do a good job of condensing vast amounts of material, then-readers may learn and remember more than if they had to wade through ponderous tracts. Critical appraisal: A wonderful glimpse into the down-home knowledge base that a neurosurgeon- in- training has to accumulate. It is not as far afield from neuro-ophthalmology as you may think. If nothing else, this is a chance to learn the language. Jonathan D. Trobe, MD Kellogg Eye Center Ann Arbor, Michigan 75 Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. |
