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Cerebral vasospasm
1 Epilepsy 1989;2:249 0 1989 Demos Publications
Book Review Cerebral Vasospasm, edited by Robert H. Wilkins. New York: Raven Press, 1988, 554 pp. Price: $98.00. This book consists of those papers presented at the 1987 research conference sponsored by the Cooperative Aneurysm Study, the Department of Neurological Surgery of the University of Virginia, and the Department of Neurological Surgery of the University of Tokyo. Only vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is discussed in this text. The book is divided into those presentations concerning: (1) prediction, diagnosis, and hemodynamic consequences of vasospasm; (2) experimental models and techniques; (3) endothelial injury and vasospasm; (4) neural mechanisms in vasospasm; (5) structural changes in vasospasm; and (6) prevention and treatment of vasospasm. This book has contributions from a number of recognized leaders in the study of various aspects of vasospasm following SAH. Overall, the book suffers from several problems that are frequently encountered in publications of symposiums. There is no unifying overview of the topic of SAH to address the concepts of the relative importance of subarachnoid hemorrhage, rebleeding, occurrence of vasospasm, techniques of diagnosis and management, and experimental approaches to understanding vasospasm.
There are no discussions presented on those papers that arrive at seemingly disparate conclusions. The quality of the papers is quite uneven. Because each of these had to stand alone at the time of presentation, there is a great deal of repetition of some points about the importance of subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent vasospasm. Some of the papers are too telegraphic and focus only on the small area of interest studied. Some of the papers do take a more general overview and can essentially stand alone. As a result, this is not a book that someone who does not know much about SAH and its complications would want to start out with. However, for those who already have a background in vasospasm following SAH, or who are actively interested in the study of its pathogenesis and complications, this book contains a number of interesting insights. These papers present the current diversity of approaches to dealing with the condition, including both laboratory and clinical aspects. This book is worthwhile reading for those who are interested in the current thinking about, and approaches to, vasospasm. Fenwick T. Nichols III Department of Neurology Medical College of Georgia Augusta, GA, U.S.A.
J EPILEPSY,VOL. 2, NO. 4, 1989 249
Book Review Cerebral Vasospasm, edited by Robert H. Wilkins. New York: Raven Press, 1988, 554 pp. Price: $98.00. This book consists of those papers presented at the 1987 research conference sponsored by the Cooperative Aneurysm Study, the Department of Neurological Surgery of the University of Virginia, and the Department of Neurological Surgery of the University of Tokyo. Only vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is discussed in this text. The book is divided into those presentations concerning: (1) prediction, diagnosis, and hemodynamic consequences of vasospasm; (2) experimental models and techniques; (3) endothelial injury and vasospasm; (4) neural mechanisms in vasospasm; (5) structural changes in vasospasm; and (6) prevention and treatment of vasospasm. This book has contributions from a number of recognized leaders in the study of various aspects of vasospasm following SAH. Overall, the book suffers from several problems that are frequently encountered in publications of symposiums. There is no unifying overview of the topic of SAH to address the concepts of the relative importance of subarachnoid hemorrhage, rebleeding, occurrence of vasospasm, techniques of diagnosis and management, and experimental approaches to understanding vasospasm.
There are no discussions presented on those papers that arrive at seemingly disparate conclusions. The quality of the papers is quite uneven. Because each of these had to stand alone at the time of presentation, there is a great deal of repetition of some points about the importance of subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent vasospasm. Some of the papers are too telegraphic and focus only on the small area of interest studied. Some of the papers do take a more general overview and can essentially stand alone. As a result, this is not a book that someone who does not know much about SAH and its complications would want to start out with. However, for those who already have a background in vasospasm following SAH, or who are actively interested in the study of its pathogenesis and complications, this book contains a number of interesting insights. These papers present the current diversity of approaches to dealing with the condition, including both laboratory and clinical aspects. This book is worthwhile reading for those who are interested in the current thinking about, and approaches to, vasospasm. Fenwick T. Nichols III Department of Neurology Medical College of Georgia Augusta, GA, U.S.A.
J EPILEPSY,VOL. 2, NO. 4, 1989 249