- Email: [email protected]
Handbook of Paediatric Intensive Care
84
guide to what an investigation is trying to achieve, including an idea of sensitivity and speci¢city.The excellent respiratory chapter also includes helpful tables of ‘when to do’ and, just as importantly, ‘when not to do’ particular key investigations. The real value of this book, however, particularly to the junior or middle grade paediatrician, is in each chapter’s guide to the investigation of common conditions. A presentation, such as short stature or chronic cough, is taken and the possible diagnoses listed or discussed.Then an investigation plan is given, often with an assessment of each test’s usefulness. Some practical aspects of the tests are discussed in separate sections, including contraindications to certain investigation and protocols for some endocrine tests. This structure lends itself to some systems more than others, and, with di¡erent authors there is some di¡erence in style between chapters. This is understandable
CURRENT ORTHOPAEDICS
and, perhaps, desirable, but I feel that the handbook would be easier to follow if the arrangement of each chapter was the same. Given the subject matter, and the authors’ aim to include ‘every clinical investigation available’, it is not surprising that abbreviations are widely used, and these are listed near the start of each chapter. Realistically priced, this handbook may not be a £owing text for bedtime reading, but it would be a valuable addition to the libraries of any paediatricians wishing to learn more about the investigations they order, study for examinations or perhaps reduce those what-do-I-donext moments in clinic.
Bernard Colvin SHO in Neonatology University Hospital of Wales,Cardi¡
doi:10.1054/cupe.2003.0454, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Handbook of Paediatric Intensive Care G. Pearson W. B. Saunders, 2002 ISBN 0 -702- 023469. Price d24.95 Trainees now often spend a period in paediatric intensive care as part of general training or to complement their chosen subspecialty.There is, therefore, a good place for a textbook for the non-career intensivist that is a¡ordable and accessible. This book would appear to be well placed to ¢ll this gap and aims to be ‘a practical concise guide, giving clear advice on management’. Its small size makes it ideally portable and less threatening than other larger intensive care texts. The single author approach gives it a uniform style that is readable and well structured. It has a logical approach, starting with some of the background of paediatric intensive care medicine followed by clear instruction on resuscitation. There are then good general chapters, including £uids and electrolytes, nutrition and pharmacology, followed by sections addressing each system. The chapter on anaesthesia is also welcome, as the non-intensivist may have had little practical experience of formal anaesthesia. However, it is short and provides an overview only. For example, the section on rapid sequence induction is brief, with no detail on the di⁄cult airway, aids to intubation or a failed intubation drill. The organ-based chapters each start with a thorough explanation of the relevant physiology followed by management of speci¢c conditions. Figures and tables are doi:10.1054/cupe.2003.0455, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
well used throughout. However, there is some imbalance here, with for example a detailed description of respiratory physiology but only a paragraph on the management of the sick infant with bronchiolitis. The book does not aim to provide detailed information on all diseases, but I would have expected more advice on such a common problem, particularly with regard to ventilatory strategies. Similarly, sedation is only brie£y touched on with little explanation of the di¡erent drugs used or suggested approaches. Some of the other chapters are more practical, however, particularly those on renal and cardiac, with good advice on postoperative pacing. There is also a useful section on poisoning. Although the text is extremely readable, it is not referenced. A few recommended texts, original papers or reviews at the end of each chapter might stimulate further reading. There is no pharmacopoeia, nor a section on procedures, both of which would increase the book’s practical value. On the whole I enjoyed reading this book and I think it is a good introductory text for those beginning to look after children on a paediatric intensive care unit. It is well written, logical and gives a good overview of intensive care medicine, with a strong emphasis on physiology. However, it needs to be made signi¢cantly more practical in several areas to earn the title of a handbook.
Tom Hilliard Specialist Registrar in Respiratory Paediatrics Bristol Children’s Hospital
guide to what an investigation is trying to achieve, including an idea of sensitivity and speci¢city.The excellent respiratory chapter also includes helpful tables of ‘when to do’ and, just as importantly, ‘when not to do’ particular key investigations. The real value of this book, however, particularly to the junior or middle grade paediatrician, is in each chapter’s guide to the investigation of common conditions. A presentation, such as short stature or chronic cough, is taken and the possible diagnoses listed or discussed.Then an investigation plan is given, often with an assessment of each test’s usefulness. Some practical aspects of the tests are discussed in separate sections, including contraindications to certain investigation and protocols for some endocrine tests. This structure lends itself to some systems more than others, and, with di¡erent authors there is some di¡erence in style between chapters. This is understandable
CURRENT ORTHOPAEDICS
and, perhaps, desirable, but I feel that the handbook would be easier to follow if the arrangement of each chapter was the same. Given the subject matter, and the authors’ aim to include ‘every clinical investigation available’, it is not surprising that abbreviations are widely used, and these are listed near the start of each chapter. Realistically priced, this handbook may not be a £owing text for bedtime reading, but it would be a valuable addition to the libraries of any paediatricians wishing to learn more about the investigations they order, study for examinations or perhaps reduce those what-do-I-donext moments in clinic.
Bernard Colvin SHO in Neonatology University Hospital of Wales,Cardi¡
doi:10.1054/cupe.2003.0454, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Handbook of Paediatric Intensive Care G. Pearson W. B. Saunders, 2002 ISBN 0 -702- 023469. Price d24.95 Trainees now often spend a period in paediatric intensive care as part of general training or to complement their chosen subspecialty.There is, therefore, a good place for a textbook for the non-career intensivist that is a¡ordable and accessible. This book would appear to be well placed to ¢ll this gap and aims to be ‘a practical concise guide, giving clear advice on management’. Its small size makes it ideally portable and less threatening than other larger intensive care texts. The single author approach gives it a uniform style that is readable and well structured. It has a logical approach, starting with some of the background of paediatric intensive care medicine followed by clear instruction on resuscitation. There are then good general chapters, including £uids and electrolytes, nutrition and pharmacology, followed by sections addressing each system. The chapter on anaesthesia is also welcome, as the non-intensivist may have had little practical experience of formal anaesthesia. However, it is short and provides an overview only. For example, the section on rapid sequence induction is brief, with no detail on the di⁄cult airway, aids to intubation or a failed intubation drill. The organ-based chapters each start with a thorough explanation of the relevant physiology followed by management of speci¢c conditions. Figures and tables are doi:10.1054/cupe.2003.0455, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
well used throughout. However, there is some imbalance here, with for example a detailed description of respiratory physiology but only a paragraph on the management of the sick infant with bronchiolitis. The book does not aim to provide detailed information on all diseases, but I would have expected more advice on such a common problem, particularly with regard to ventilatory strategies. Similarly, sedation is only brie£y touched on with little explanation of the di¡erent drugs used or suggested approaches. Some of the other chapters are more practical, however, particularly those on renal and cardiac, with good advice on postoperative pacing. There is also a useful section on poisoning. Although the text is extremely readable, it is not referenced. A few recommended texts, original papers or reviews at the end of each chapter might stimulate further reading. There is no pharmacopoeia, nor a section on procedures, both of which would increase the book’s practical value. On the whole I enjoyed reading this book and I think it is a good introductory text for those beginning to look after children on a paediatric intensive care unit. It is well written, logical and gives a good overview of intensive care medicine, with a strong emphasis on physiology. However, it needs to be made signi¢cantly more practical in several areas to earn the title of a handbook.
Tom Hilliard Specialist Registrar in Respiratory Paediatrics Bristol Children’s Hospital