Color textbook of pediatric dermatology. 2nd ed

BOOK REVIEWS Hair and hair care Dale H. Johnson, editor, Monticello, N.Y., 1997, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 376 pages. $150.00. This text is the newest in the 17-volume set of the Marcel Dekker Cosmetic Science and Technology Series designed to fulfill the educational needs of the cosmetic chemist. These books cover topics from cosmetic and drug preservation to cosmetic safety to methods for cutaneous investigation to sunscreens to consumer testing to cosmetic microbiology. This addition to the landmark cosmetic series on hair and hair care is welcomed because many of the previous texts on hair, such as The Science of Hair Care edited by C. Zviak (1986) and Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair edited by C. R. Robbins (1988), did not address some of the recent popular trends in chemical hair processing or the newer additives to hair conditioners. Although many books in the series represent a cooperative effort between industry experts and dermatologists, this text is written solely by persons in the hair care industry. Certainly, the author list includes extremely knowledgeable persons; however, the value of the text to the dermatologist could have been increased by expanding the scope to include such subjects as hair care products for patients with androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, as examples. The text focuses instead on formulation topics of main interest to the cosmetic hair care chemist, such as conditioning of the hair, hair styling/fixative products, hair waving, hair coloring, ethnic hair care products, fragrance for hair care products, and consumer research techniques. For the dermatologist with an interest in the basic chemistry and development of hair care products, this text contains the most recent definitive knowledge on the subject. It is an important reference book for anyone who wishes to work in the hair care industry. After reading this book, the dermatologist could certainly more aptly explain to patients why hair fractures readily follow permanent waving, how to lighten brown hair to blonde, and what constitutes the optimal hair conditioner. In summary, this well-written concise treatise on hair and hair care is a book for the dermatologist with a special interest in the topic. Zoe Draelos, MD High Point, North Carolina

Immunomodulatory and cytotoxic agents in dermatology Charles J. McDonald, editor, Monticello, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 416 pages. $175.00. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

In the modest preface to this exceptional book Charles McDonald writes that the "text is intended to serve as an introduction to the use of immunomodulatory and cytotoxic drugs in current dermatologic practice." The book does that and much more. The text is divided into two parts, the first dealing with specific drugs or classes of drugs, and the second part addressing specific diseases. The section on specific drugs gives an overview of medications with which dermatologists should be familiar if we are to continue to practice medical dermatology. Mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, bleomycin, hydroxyurea, cyclosporine, and retinoids are discussed in some detail. A chapter on vitamin D analogues seems out of place in the midst of· potent chemotherapy and immunosuppressive agents, including purine and pyrimidine analogues, but that chapter is nevertheless well written and informative. The second part of the book on treatment of specific dermatologic disease is the text's most useful portion. Ruth Oratz and Jean-Claude Bystryn have written the most up-to-date chapter on treatment of malignant melanoma. Most of us leave the treatment of metastatic melanoma to oncologists without giving sufficient advice to our patients. All treatments that are used are put into perspective in this superb chapter. Charles McDonald's chapter on treatment of connective tissue diseases is likewise outstanding. The chapter covers the indications for use of cytotoxic agents, as well as the method and rationale for treatment of lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis. Stephen Wolverton's chapter on monitoring for adverse effects is similarly excellent and succinct. In 15 pages he covers all of the most commonly prescribed dermatologic drugs that require significant monitoring, including methotrexate, cyclosporine, and azathioprine. The only criticism one can have of this book is its price. At $175, it is almost as expensive as a large tube of one of the newly available psoriasis therapies! Given the nature of the treatments covered in this book, readers may well find the information presented to be lifesaving for their patients. Mark Lebwohl, MD New York, New York

Color textbook of pediatric dermatology. 2nd ed. William L. Weston, Alfred T. Lane, and Joseph G. June, Part 1, 1998

1017

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology June 1998

1018 Book reviews Morelli, St. Louis, 1997, Mosby, Inc. 398 pages. $99.95. This volume is the recently updated second edition of a popular textbook of pediatric dermatology. It should be one of the choices for reference books for skin problems in children. In contrast to some of the other textbooks of pediatric dermatology, which are much larger and more comprehensive, this book is .designed for the primary care physician or dermatologist who is not an expert in pediatric dermatology. After an initial chapter that reviews the key points of function and structure of skin, the authors include a chapter dedicated to the description of lesions and a problem-oriented algorithmic approach for thinking about skin disorders. The remainder of the chapters focus on a specific group of disorders, which are presented in a well-organized fashion and provide excellent information, including recommendations for management. Special chapters toward the end of the textbook include a chapter on disorders in the newborn and an excellent chapter about dermatopharmacology and topical formulations. A special treat is the collection of sample patient handouts about acne, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, keratosis pilaris, molluscum contagiosum, scabies, and warts as well as techniques for the use of wet dressings. The authors have updated the references at the end of each chapter since the 1991 edition. In addition, the book is peppered with tables and charts that provide salient information and are easy to read. Of special benefit to the primary care physician are the numerous color photographs showing examples of the various disorders discussed. Virtually every page includes one to six color photographs. My only concern about the book is that many of the photographs are not of optimal quality, particularly with respect to lighting, thus making it harder to base diagnosis and subsequent treatment decisions on recognition of a skin disorder by comparison with the picture in the text. Another special treat is the "problem-oriented differential diagnosis index." This index supplements the routine index in the back. It covers four pages before and after the text, listing differential diagnoses based on the appearance of the lesion and whether the manifestations are occurring in newborns or in infants or children. Each entry is user-friendly, providing the page numbers at which these entities are described and pictured. Overall, this edition is an excellent basic pediatric dermatology text. I would highly recommend it to be kept in the clinic of any primary care physician who sees children with skin disorders.

Amy S. Paller, MD Chicago, Illinois

Color atlas and synopsis of clinical dermatology Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Richard A. Johnson, Klaus Wolff, Machiel K. Polano, and Dick Suurmound, New York, 1997, McGraw-Hill. CD-ROM Version 1.0 (Windows and Macintosh). $79.00. This third edition of Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology by Fitzpatrick et al. is available as an electronic CD-ROM for Windows and Macintosh personal computers. Like the paper rendition, the electronic version presents a color-illustrated guide to the differential diagnosis of common skin diseases and skin manifestations of systemic disorders. It is divided into three sections: "Disorders Presenting in Skin and Mucous Membranes," "Dermatology and Internal Medicine," and "Diseases Due to Microbial Agents." Further subdivisions are based on criteria of tissue and cell types, pathophysiology, etiology, and others. This organization is not entirely intuitive; however, a search function provides direct access to individual topics. Diseases are presented in a brief overview, followed by epidemiology, history, physical findings, differential diagnosis, laboratory and special examinations, diagnosis, pathogenesis, course and prognosis, and therapeutic management. The synopsis content is brief and focused, as short as a sentence, as long as a couple of paragraphs. The CD-ROM disk contains 2030 "pages" and 595 color photographs rendered in 16-bit files for high-resolution images on computer monitors. They are accessible as embedded images within text, as well as full screen figures, that provide accurate and faithful representation of the conditions discussed. The CD-ROM is based on Adobe Acrobat PDF files and includes Acrobat Reader on the disk, ensuring successful function across platforms. The disk is easy to install on Pentium-based personal computers running either Windows 95 or Windows 3.1 and runs on 486based personal computers. Similarly, it is easy to install on Macintosh-based Power PC (601 and higher) and 68040 chip machines running System 7.5.5. A minimum of 16 MB of RAM and 8-bit (256) color is required for both platforms, although 16-bit (thousands) color is recommended. An uninstall function is included. Search, retrieval, and display of images are acceptably quick on 100 MHz and higher platforms, although search functions may be slow on older platforms. Navigation is through a table of contents, a subject index, body regions, and a useful file index frame on the left of the screen. "Forward" and "back" arrows as well as a scroll bar are available. Despite these conveniences, it is easy to become lost in the pages. especially when returning to text after viewing images. "Forward" and "back" arrows access successive or