Head injury, 2nd edition

Head injury, 2nd edition

Surg Neural 477 1987;28:477-8 Book Reviews Aids to the Examination of the Peripheral Nervous System. By Bailliere Tindal (on behalf of the Guarant...

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Surg Neural

477

1987;28:477-8

Book Reviews

Aids to the Examination of the Peripheral Nervous System. By Bailliere Tindal (on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain). 68 pages, 88 illustrations. $9.94. Philadelphia: W.B.

Saunders,

1986.

The British have always been proud of their expertise in their examination of the nervous system, and particularly, the peripheral nervous system. The preface of this book justifies this pride with excellent reference to the historical works by George Riddoch, Richie Russell, and M.J.F. McArdle, all outstanding British neuroscientists. These early publications from Britain gave elegant accounts of the follow-up of peripheral nerve injuries during the war and, in addition, at least one (War Memorandum No. 7), compiled 33 years ago by the Nerve Injuries Research Council and edited by H.J. Seddon, was published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office in London. This book had some excellent illustrations of the injuries that resulted from peripheral nerve lacerations, and quickly became a standard work. Its use by students and clinicians over the years has changed the wartime emphasis, making it a primary reference from which this book has developed. Peripheral Nerve Injuries. Principles of DiagnoJic, by Webb Haymaker and Barnes Woodhall (W.B. Saunders Company, 1945, 2nd edition 1953, revised 1967), an American followup study of war injuries, is believed to be as well done as the original British publications. However, the many clear, highlighted photographs and distinct diagrams that illustrate areas where muscle atrophy and sensory loss may occur make this volume comparable, if not superior, to the Haymaker and Woodhall book. The photographs in the book are black and white, and there are two excellent color illustrations: (1) a diagram of the brachial plexus and (2) a diagram of the lumbosacral plexus, which has been added for this edition. One finds it difficult to criticize this book. Although it contains less text than the 1972 and 1975 editions, this does not detract from its worth. It must be noted that the preface contains the only reference to the work that has been done by others. There are no references per se. For details, one will have to refer to other texts. While this might be considered a technical error by some, it in no way prevents quick and efficient use of the book. This small book is one that should be owned by neurologists, neurosurgeons, family practitioners, and any others who will, from time to time, be examining people with suspected peripheral nerve injuries. The book enables one to refer, immediately, to the proper position for examination and the

specific areas of weakness and/or sensory changes which may be evident. This publication is small (68 pages) and inexpensive. While extremely brief on exposition, the book is replete with photographs and diagrams. It is highly recommended. EBEN

ALEXANDER,

Jr., M.D.,

Editor

Head Injury, 2nd edition. Edited by Paul R. Cooper. 497 pages. $87.50. Baltimore:

Williams

& Wilkins,

1987.

The second edition of this volume follows the first by 5 years and reflects the new insights into the diagnosis and management of the head-injured patient that have been acquired during that interval. It is a multiauthored volume, and many of the authors are recognized investigators in the field of head injury. The book’s 22 chapters encompass all major aspects of head injuries; each chapter is extensively referenced with classic and current publications. Diagrams and radiographs are numerous and of high quality. The first chapter covers the epidemiologic aspects of head injury in a scholarly fashion, and is followed by two chapters on initial management, one from the neurologic and one from the general perspective. Practical algorithms for early care are included. Following these chapters, several chapters discuss the radiographic evaluation and pathologic basis of head injury, and then more specific injuries are discussed in order of progressive severity. In separate chapters, Cooper thoroughly covers fractures and traumatic CSF fistulae, presenting the rationale for skull radiographs in their diagnosis; traumatic mass lesions; and gunshot wounds of the brain. Two chapters are devoted to cerebral concussion, or mild head injury. The physiology, pathophysiology, medical management, and monitoring of intracranial pressure are reviewed in three chapters. A lengthy review of traumatic cerebral edema, covering both a basic investigational and practical therapeutic view, is the focus of one chapter. The remaining chapters discuss vascular injuries, the special needs of the pediatric patient, repair of scalp and skull injuries, complications of head injury, and outcome. The value of this volume lies in its thorough, scholarly, well-referenced, and well-organized practical and theoretical information. Its value would have been enhanced by a more consistent inclusion of drawings and descriptions of specific operative techniques, but it still should be required reading

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Book Reviews

Surg Neurol 1987;28:477-8

for all junior neurosurgical residents, and it will be a valuable updated reference for any physician caring for the headinjured patient. CHARLES L. BRANCH, Jr., M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Neurosurgical Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 2nd edition. By T. Victor Campkin and John Morris Turner. 300 pages. London: Butterworths, 1986. In the preface to this new edition of their popular book, Campkin and Turner note that a profuse and continuing volume of literature relating to brain function, intracranial pressure, and the effects of anesthesia on intracranial contents has appeared over the past 7 years since the publication of the first edition of Neurosurgical Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. In a concise 300 pages, the authors have undertaken the task of condensing this literature and presenting that body of knowledge which

is important to current neuroanesthesia practice. They have succeeded in this task. The cohesive text is divided into four parts: physiology and pharmacology, basic considerations in neuroanesthesia, clinical neuroanesthesia, and intensive care. Material in the basic science sections of the book is easy to comprehend, and this often “dry” discussion is presented in a well-organized manner with an extensive list of references at the end of each chapter. The high degree of practicality evidenced in the presentations on clinical neuroanesthesia is noteworthy, and this volume contains material on the common neurosurgical procedures such as supratentorial craniotomy and cerebral aneurysm surgery, as well as introductory material on stereotactic biopsies, percutaneous rhizotomy for pain procedures, and anesthesia for the surgical treatment of epilepsy. The chapters on neurointensive care serve to reemphasize important points on patient care from earlier discussions. In summary, this readable British text is highly recommended to the trainee in both neurosurgery and anesthesia who desires a clinically oriented introduction to the principles and practice of neuroanesthesia. PATRICIA H. PETROZZA, M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina