| OCR Text |
Show Journal of Neiiro- Ophthalmology 18( 2): 159- 160, 1998. © 1998 Lippincoll- Ravcn Publishers, Philadelphia BOOK REVIEWS Barrett Katz, M. D. Migraine and Other Headaches. The Vascular Mechanisms, edited by J. Olesen. Raven Press, Ltd., New York, 1994, $ 59.95. Type of Book: This first volume of the Frontiers in Headache Research series is a compendium of scientific papers addressing the vascular characteristics of migraine headache. It presents current research on various aspects of the study of migraine in collections of short reports, with each collection summarized by a leading expert. Interspersed among the research papers are short background reviews and illustrative case reports. The text is accompanied by graphical data, line drawings, and color images of SPECT scans. Scope: The book provides a detailed exposure to the techniques available in 1991 for evaluating cerebral blood flow during various stages of migraine, and it presents a broad overview of the vascular events measured by each technique. It addresses pathophysiologic mechanisms, but is not otherwise oriented toward the clinical aspects of migraine. Contents: The text includes ten sections, beginning with a description of the methodology for studying cerebral blood flow including Xenon 133 and Technetium 99- HMPAO administration associated with SPECT scanning and other detection methods. Subsequent chapters include studies of the interictal and onset phases of migraine, both with and without aura. A major section addresses mechanisms of migraine with aura and includes studies of electrophysiologic and biochemical activity in addition to blood flow. A separate series of papers deals with transcranial doppler evaluation of blood flow in migraine. Finally, the events in cluster headache are reviewed and compared with other forms of headache. Effects of antimigraine drugs on blood flow are analyzed. Strengths: This text provides in- depth summaries of various viewpoints on the vascular aspects of migraine, with detailed scientific data to support them. So that the reader does not lose focus amongst the detail, each section is followed by a short discussion of the data by an expert putting the information in perspective and providing invaluable reorientation points along the way. The section on mechanisms of migraine with aura is particularly clear and approaches the subject from various angles, including relation of blood flow to neurologic and electrophysiologic occurrences; biochemical aspects, including serotonin receptors on blood vessel sensory nerve fibers and their relation to antimigraine drug action; and changes in extracellular fluid components such as glutamate and aspartate. The color illustrations of SPECT scans are excellent. Weaknesses: As with most multi- author texts, there is some overlap in subject coverage between chapters; this is particularly true in the first section on methods in which the Xenon 133 tracer methodology is discussed in several papers. Additionally, because each section consists of a series of research papers with sometimes contradictory views, the reader is occasionally left without a cohesive synthesis of the information, even with the discussion summaries supplied at the end of the section. Critical Appraisal/ Recommended Audience: This book is an excellent source of original research papers on blood flow in migraine. Although there is more basic science information than the average practitioner, particularly the ophthalmologist who sees an occasional mi-graineur, will be interested in reviewing, this collection concisely summarizes research through 1991. It is highly recommended to those attempting to make sense of this controversial and often confusing area of study. Anthony C. Arnold, M. D. Jules Stein Eye Institute Los Angeles, California Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration, edited by S. Kato, N. N. Osborne, and M. Tamai. Kugler Publications, Amsterdam, 1996, $ 90.00. Type of Book: Proceedings of an International Symposium held in Japan on July 8- 9, 1995. Scope of Book: This book is intended for those interested in understanding retinal pathophysiology at a cellular and molecular level, particularly those doing basic and clinical research. Contents: There are four major sections: retinal ischemia, excitatory amino acids ( excitotoxins), degeneration, and transplantation and regeneration studies. In addition, there is a special chapter on circadian rhythms of melatonin synthesis. There are only three chapters in the ischemia section, but this is compensated for by nine chapters in the transplantation and regeneration section. Strengths: The topics covered are at the forefront of research in retinal degeneration. Many of the authors are well- established scientists in the field who write clearly and concisely. The editing is excellent. The chapters on nitric oxide, immunohistochemistry of retinal ischemia, phosphoinositide metabolism defects, and retinal cell transplants are especially useful. Virtually all of the fig- 159 160 BOOK REVIEWS ures were beautifully reproduced. I liked the schematics of various biologic pathways, which were often self-explanatory. References are up to date, with many from 1995, the year preceding publication. Weaknesses: Several topics are not covered in depth, a common fault of books resulting from conference symposia. I wished that the important chapters of LaVail et al. ( on growth factors as potential therapies for retinal degenerations) and Wong et al. ( on apoptosis in retinal degenerations) were longer and contained more data from their previous papers. Some chapters cover topics that are fairly specialized and may be of interest only to those directly working in the field. Recommended Audience: Neuro- ophthalmologists with a specific interest in retinal pathophysiology will benefit from reading about one third of this volume. Those interested in retinal degenerations will read a further one third and save the rest for reference purposes. Most ophthalmology departments that also support a basic science effort will wish to have this in their libraries. Critical Appraisal: This book is for the serious student of the retina. Those seeking clinical guidance should look elsewhere. Leonard A. Levin, M. D., Ph. D. Madison, Wisconsin Physicians' Guide to the Internet, by L. Hancock. Lip-pincott- Raven Publishers, New York, 1996, $ 29.95. Type of book: Busy physicians seem to divide into two groups- those that have embraced computer technology and the Internet as a hobby or a passion and those who have not found the time, need, or rationale to learn about it. This is a study guide directed at the latter group of physicians. Scope of book: The foreword and first chapter give persuasive reasons why a physician should join the 20 million ( and growing by the minute) users of the Internet. An increasing amount of the professional and societal information that physicians need is becoming available on the Internet. The Internet provides instant and up- to-date information about medications, medical equipment, conferences, professional discussion groups, and rapidly breaking research results. In addition, more patients are arriving in the doctor's office armed with information gleaned from the Internet, and the doctor who appears behind the times will be at a significant competitive disadvantage. With the advent of access to the Internet via home TV and dedicated, inexpensive computers, this scenario is likely to become more common. Contents: The book starts with a glossary of common terms. However, the glossary and definitions often use other technical terms which may require the neophyte to go to multiple sites to find a satisfactory definition. Chapter two explains what one will need in the way of hardware and software. The ( free) Physicians On- Line is not mentioned. Other resources, such as the large nationwide access providers- AT& T, Pacific Bell, and GNN- are also not mentioned. Similarly, the author describes several World Wide Web Browsers, but only briefly names Netscape Navigator, the most popular one, and does not mention Microsoft's ( free) Explorer engine at all. These providers and the newer generation of software make surfing the Internet easier even for beginners and obviate the trials and tribulations of Telenet log- in, file transfer protocols, and gophers. Chapter four makes up the vast majority of the book and gives an exhaustive but not complete list of Internet medical resources including disease specific, specialty specific, institutional and governmental sites. The author provides helpful descriptions of each site. Appendix A lists Internet software browsers and Appendix B lists Internet access providers by state, but both are hopelessly out of date. Appendix C provides a glossary of mail server commands. A copy of Netcruiser Internet software is included with the book. However, few will find this particular version as useful as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer. Strengths: This is a reasonable first pass at introducing physicians to the world of electronic communication and cyberspace. Weaknesses: The hardware and software descriptions are understandably out of date, because the technology advances unrelentingly. The author touts 14,400 baud per second ( bps) modems when, in fact, the current standard is at least 28,800 bps with 33,600 bps currently available and 56,600 bps modems likely to appear soon. Similarly, the software and access methods described ignore the most common ways most people access the " net"- i. e., through the commercial companies like America Online, Microsoft Network, CompuServe, and Prodigy. Likewise, because the internet is changing daily, many appropriate and relevant sites are not listed. For example, only four sites specific to ophthalmology are identified. Indeed, sites operated by the two glaucoma foundations are omitted. Recommended Audience: This little book will provide the Internet novice with some useful information, but is not likely to entice the technophobic physician on- line. It is most useful to those already familiar with the technology, although perhaps not intimate with its medical uses. The novice would be better off joining one of the major providers or going with the dedicated Internet TV, letting the more intuitive software of today take him or her on a truly " fantastic voyage." Critical Appraisal: This is a handy guide for information and resources. It provides a list of resources dealing with health, disease, therapy, and clinical medicine, and it includes basic information needed to access the medical resources listed. It is a reasonable first place to start for those who have abandoned their typewriters but are not yet comfortable with information systems technology- Robert L. Stamper, M. D. San Francisco, California J Nciiro- Ophllialmol, Vol. / « , No. 2, 1998 |
