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Neurosurgery: The scientific basis of clinical practice
202
Surg Neurol 1986;26:202-3
Book Reviews
The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing. By J o a n n e V. H i c k e y . S e c o n d Edition. xvi + 652 pp. $37.50. P h i l a d e l p h i a : J.B. L i p p i n c o t t C o m p a n y , 1986. If a textbook or an update on neuroscience nursing is desired, I would highly recommend this book, the first edition of which has been well received. This second edition is a comprehensive up-to-date treatise on the subject of neurological and neurosurgical nursing practices. The author has revised and expanded all chapters and added a discussion on environmental and occupational disorders affecting the nervous system. This comprehensive book contains a wealth of information. The author has carefully organized and condensed the very difficult subjects so as to present them in a logical manner easily understood by either the neophyte or the experienced nurse. The book is amply illustrated throughout by figures, charts, and tables that simplify and clarify the text materials. The sections on current and accepted theoretical and technical aspects of the practice of neuroscience nursing are well organized. The disease process and the rationale for nursing care and management are well correlated. Included are summaries of common nursing diagnoses, expected outcomes, and appropriate interventions for patient management. The author stresses the importance of devoting attention to emotional and behavioral states as well as to the nutritional well-being of neurological and neurosurgical patients. A section discusses the special nursing care required by patients with disorders of the nervous system. The chapters on traumatic afflictions are particularly well organized and present the complex nursing problems encountered in these patients. Certain important nursing measures should be avoided when a patient has or is suspected of having increased intracranial pressure. These precautions are not usually discussed in depth in general nursing textbooks. It is additionally emphasized that nursing routines ordinarily followed may not be applicable to such cases. The author states that current and accepted patient care must follow rational nursing principles. The understanding of these standards will enable the novice to appreciate the seemingly complex issues involved in patient care. On the basis of these principles the author, throughout this edition, expounds appropriate nursing protocol. A list of current references is appended to each chapter for additional reading. This book aims to focus on the problems of adult patients; the afflictions of the newborn and children are deliberately omitted. The text is quite complete, although a few topics such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hyperirritable carotid sinus are not mentioned, and the choreas and dyskinesias are inadequately discussed. The many photographs clearly illustrate the subject ma© 1986 by ElsevierSciencePublishingCo., Inc.
terial. In one figure the patient seems to be in an unusual position (page 92, Figure 4-2). The convention of hyphenating compound words found throughout this book is annoying and distracting to one unaccustomed to this style. This is one of the most comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical texts available for nurses. The extensively revised second edition should be a valuable source book for students, nursing practitioners, clinical nurses, and health care personnel. The author is to be congratulated upon her excellent and exhaustive monograph. A G N E S M. MARSHALL, R.N. Albuquerque, New Mexico Neurosurgery: The Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice. E d i t e d by A l a n C r o c k a r d , R i c h a r d H a y w a r d , and J u l i a n T. H o f f . F o r e w o r d by C h a r l e s D r a k e . 647 pp. O x f o r d , England: B l a c k w e l l Scientific Publications, 1985. This single volume book on neurosurgery comprises more than 600 pages of text printed on excellent paper, with good reproduction of illustrations and an excellent index. In the foreword to the book Charles Drake writes: Neurosurgery above all other surgical disciplines, demands the most intimate knowledge of its science, of structure and function of the nervous system, in the norm and in disease and injury. N o other tissue is so fragilely complex and eloquent or demands such exquisitely accurate surgical manipulations . . . . What is known of the complexity of the nervous system remains awesome but much remains unknown, even unimagined. What light has been shed on this darkness for neurosurgeons has been summarized in this volume of current knowledge directed at neurosurgical practice with references for further studies of special interest. In their preface the editors state that this book is designed particularly for "the neurosurgeon in training who will, quite rightly, expect to be tested on his or her knowledge of these subjects [of neurosurgery] when facing the specialist postgraduate examinations that are becoming a familiar part of neurosurgical education throughout the world." The focus of the book, therefore, is on "the developmental, biochemical, physiological, anatomical and pathological processes that are relevant to clinicians who require a scientific basis to enable them to practice neurosurgery." The contributors to the book were chosen for their ex0090-3019/86/$3.50
Book Reviews
pertise in one of those subjects. The majority of guest contributors are from the British Isles, the rest from the North American continent. The resulting 37 chapters vary in length and complexity, and often in format. For example, all chapters are referenced throughout except for the chapters on diagnostic imaging techniques and on tests of endocrine function in neurological patients, which have only lists of "further reading" at the end. As is often the case with texts having multiple contributors, by the time these chapters were compiled and published, the articles referenced were relatively out of date. In only a few cases have references as recent as 1984 been cited. This seems particularly true of the otherwise excellent chapters on the pathophysiology of cerebrospinal fluid circulation, anesthesia and brain function, the response of the brain to hypoxia, brain swelling, diagnostic imaging techniques, and studies on endocrine function. The chapter on the development of the central nervous system is written in considerable detail and will be a satisfactory reference for the neurosurgical resident who did not have a detailed course on embryology in medical school and who wishes to pursue some particular aspect of the development of the nervous system. Harold J. Hoffman's chapter on developmental anomalies dealing with all known anomalies of the nervous system that have some impact on the practice of neurosurgery is well written and profusely illustrated. A chapter on the practical techniques in the study of stereotactic neuroanatomy will be of interest to the few who participate in this type of work, and the chapter on the chemical basis of neurological function is an excellent review of the subject. The chapters by Bryan Jennett on categorization of symptoms and on comatose conditions are written with the excellence so characteristic of his work, and they summarize a great deal of his previous writings. George Ojemann's chapter on the cerebral organization of language and speech summarizes the elegant and innovative work done by the neurosurgical group at the University of Washington, Seattle, building on the strengths engendered by
Surg Neurol 1986;26:202-3
203
Arthur Ward when he was head of the Department of Neurological Surgery there. There are chapters on thirst and hunger, on control of respiratory function, on cerebral metabolism and blood flow, and on cerebral arterial spasm, none of which make a really up-to-date contribution to the literature but all of which summarize their subjects well. The chapters "The Production and Measurement of Evoked Potentials" and "Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies" are good basic reviews of the subject. The chapter dealing with pain contributes nothing new to the subject, nor does the chapter on movement control and disorders, although the latter is well written and fairly well illustrated. With the exception of those specific areas, this book contributes a great deal of information. On the whole, then, this is a good book that, while not encyclopedic, serves its purpose of providing the neurosurgical trainee with a basic knowledge of the subjects on which the field of neurosurgery is founded. EBEN ALEXANDER, Jr., M.D., Editor Lecture Notes on Neurology. By Ivan T. D r a p e r . 6th Edition. 220 pp. $12.50. O x f o r d , England: B l a c k w e l l Scientific Publications, 1985. This book is a series of brief notes for use in conjunction with a formal course of instruction. It may be useful for quick review. The book is the essence of brevity--12 pages on the functional organization of the brain, 14 pages on the motor system, 2 on the sensory system, and scarcely more than half a page on consciousness. Four textbook references can be found at the end of the book. This sixth edition must have evolved because of its usefulness to students of neurology in Glasgow. The book is small enough to fit into the student's side pocket. EBEN ALEXANDER, Jr., M.D., Editor
Surg Neurol 1986;26:202-3
Book Reviews
The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing. By J o a n n e V. H i c k e y . S e c o n d Edition. xvi + 652 pp. $37.50. P h i l a d e l p h i a : J.B. L i p p i n c o t t C o m p a n y , 1986. If a textbook or an update on neuroscience nursing is desired, I would highly recommend this book, the first edition of which has been well received. This second edition is a comprehensive up-to-date treatise on the subject of neurological and neurosurgical nursing practices. The author has revised and expanded all chapters and added a discussion on environmental and occupational disorders affecting the nervous system. This comprehensive book contains a wealth of information. The author has carefully organized and condensed the very difficult subjects so as to present them in a logical manner easily understood by either the neophyte or the experienced nurse. The book is amply illustrated throughout by figures, charts, and tables that simplify and clarify the text materials. The sections on current and accepted theoretical and technical aspects of the practice of neuroscience nursing are well organized. The disease process and the rationale for nursing care and management are well correlated. Included are summaries of common nursing diagnoses, expected outcomes, and appropriate interventions for patient management. The author stresses the importance of devoting attention to emotional and behavioral states as well as to the nutritional well-being of neurological and neurosurgical patients. A section discusses the special nursing care required by patients with disorders of the nervous system. The chapters on traumatic afflictions are particularly well organized and present the complex nursing problems encountered in these patients. Certain important nursing measures should be avoided when a patient has or is suspected of having increased intracranial pressure. These precautions are not usually discussed in depth in general nursing textbooks. It is additionally emphasized that nursing routines ordinarily followed may not be applicable to such cases. The author states that current and accepted patient care must follow rational nursing principles. The understanding of these standards will enable the novice to appreciate the seemingly complex issues involved in patient care. On the basis of these principles the author, throughout this edition, expounds appropriate nursing protocol. A list of current references is appended to each chapter for additional reading. This book aims to focus on the problems of adult patients; the afflictions of the newborn and children are deliberately omitted. The text is quite complete, although a few topics such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hyperirritable carotid sinus are not mentioned, and the choreas and dyskinesias are inadequately discussed. The many photographs clearly illustrate the subject ma© 1986 by ElsevierSciencePublishingCo., Inc.
terial. In one figure the patient seems to be in an unusual position (page 92, Figure 4-2). The convention of hyphenating compound words found throughout this book is annoying and distracting to one unaccustomed to this style. This is one of the most comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical texts available for nurses. The extensively revised second edition should be a valuable source book for students, nursing practitioners, clinical nurses, and health care personnel. The author is to be congratulated upon her excellent and exhaustive monograph. A G N E S M. MARSHALL, R.N. Albuquerque, New Mexico Neurosurgery: The Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice. E d i t e d by A l a n C r o c k a r d , R i c h a r d H a y w a r d , and J u l i a n T. H o f f . F o r e w o r d by C h a r l e s D r a k e . 647 pp. O x f o r d , England: B l a c k w e l l Scientific Publications, 1985. This single volume book on neurosurgery comprises more than 600 pages of text printed on excellent paper, with good reproduction of illustrations and an excellent index. In the foreword to the book Charles Drake writes: Neurosurgery above all other surgical disciplines, demands the most intimate knowledge of its science, of structure and function of the nervous system, in the norm and in disease and injury. N o other tissue is so fragilely complex and eloquent or demands such exquisitely accurate surgical manipulations . . . . What is known of the complexity of the nervous system remains awesome but much remains unknown, even unimagined. What light has been shed on this darkness for neurosurgeons has been summarized in this volume of current knowledge directed at neurosurgical practice with references for further studies of special interest. In their preface the editors state that this book is designed particularly for "the neurosurgeon in training who will, quite rightly, expect to be tested on his or her knowledge of these subjects [of neurosurgery] when facing the specialist postgraduate examinations that are becoming a familiar part of neurosurgical education throughout the world." The focus of the book, therefore, is on "the developmental, biochemical, physiological, anatomical and pathological processes that are relevant to clinicians who require a scientific basis to enable them to practice neurosurgery." The contributors to the book were chosen for their ex0090-3019/86/$3.50
Book Reviews
pertise in one of those subjects. The majority of guest contributors are from the British Isles, the rest from the North American continent. The resulting 37 chapters vary in length and complexity, and often in format. For example, all chapters are referenced throughout except for the chapters on diagnostic imaging techniques and on tests of endocrine function in neurological patients, which have only lists of "further reading" at the end. As is often the case with texts having multiple contributors, by the time these chapters were compiled and published, the articles referenced were relatively out of date. In only a few cases have references as recent as 1984 been cited. This seems particularly true of the otherwise excellent chapters on the pathophysiology of cerebrospinal fluid circulation, anesthesia and brain function, the response of the brain to hypoxia, brain swelling, diagnostic imaging techniques, and studies on endocrine function. The chapter on the development of the central nervous system is written in considerable detail and will be a satisfactory reference for the neurosurgical resident who did not have a detailed course on embryology in medical school and who wishes to pursue some particular aspect of the development of the nervous system. Harold J. Hoffman's chapter on developmental anomalies dealing with all known anomalies of the nervous system that have some impact on the practice of neurosurgery is well written and profusely illustrated. A chapter on the practical techniques in the study of stereotactic neuroanatomy will be of interest to the few who participate in this type of work, and the chapter on the chemical basis of neurological function is an excellent review of the subject. The chapters by Bryan Jennett on categorization of symptoms and on comatose conditions are written with the excellence so characteristic of his work, and they summarize a great deal of his previous writings. George Ojemann's chapter on the cerebral organization of language and speech summarizes the elegant and innovative work done by the neurosurgical group at the University of Washington, Seattle, building on the strengths engendered by
Surg Neurol 1986;26:202-3
203
Arthur Ward when he was head of the Department of Neurological Surgery there. There are chapters on thirst and hunger, on control of respiratory function, on cerebral metabolism and blood flow, and on cerebral arterial spasm, none of which make a really up-to-date contribution to the literature but all of which summarize their subjects well. The chapters "The Production and Measurement of Evoked Potentials" and "Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies" are good basic reviews of the subject. The chapter dealing with pain contributes nothing new to the subject, nor does the chapter on movement control and disorders, although the latter is well written and fairly well illustrated. With the exception of those specific areas, this book contributes a great deal of information. On the whole, then, this is a good book that, while not encyclopedic, serves its purpose of providing the neurosurgical trainee with a basic knowledge of the subjects on which the field of neurosurgery is founded. EBEN ALEXANDER, Jr., M.D., Editor Lecture Notes on Neurology. By Ivan T. D r a p e r . 6th Edition. 220 pp. $12.50. O x f o r d , England: B l a c k w e l l Scientific Publications, 1985. This book is a series of brief notes for use in conjunction with a formal course of instruction. It may be useful for quick review. The book is the essence of brevity--12 pages on the functional organization of the brain, 14 pages on the motor system, 2 on the sensory system, and scarcely more than half a page on consciousness. Four textbook references can be found at the end of the book. This sixth edition must have evolved because of its usefulness to students of neurology in Glasgow. The book is small enough to fit into the student's side pocket. EBEN ALEXANDER, Jr., M.D., Editor