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Klinische psychopathologie
234 The review on gene therapy in Parkinson's disease fulfills its promise as a compelling and balanced account that is suitable for both clinicians and basic scientists. Although one cannot disagree with the assertion in the introduction that brain microdialysis technique is relevant and useful, one gets the impression that this final chapter is misplaced and could have found a better home in a book on neuroscience methods. A few other deficiencies deserve mention. The illustration in the first chapter is clumsy and amateurish. The extensive references throughout the text can be distracting. Additionally, the fact that in several chapters, the keys to the abbreviations appear at the end will not placate the exasperated novice who has to endure a multitude of arcane jargon throughout the text. Despite these shortcomings, on the whole, the book is meritorious, well-referenced and up-to-date. The real dilemma is in trying to find it a niche among the readers. Rather than being of a value to the uninitiated clinician seeking a quick introduction to what is new in the neurosciences, I believe it will appeal more to the cognoscenti who can better aprpeciate the technical smorgasbord that the book has to offer. ED A. CRISTOSTOMO, M.D. Department of Neurology The Duluth Clinic, Ltd. Duluth, MN, USA
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Trial Design, Results and Future Perspective, R.A. Rudick and D.E. Goodkin (eds.), 1992, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg/New York/ Tokio, 313 pages, DM210.00, ISBN 3-540-19683-8 An extensive review of therapeutic trials of the past 10 years is given. Many aspects are considered: design and statistical issues, natural history of multiple sclerosis and its influence on results of therapeutic trials, data analysis, assesment of the outcome of experimental therapies, lessons from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, and many treatment strategies: ACTH, corticoids, azathioprine, copolymer I, eyelophosphamide, cyclosporine A, interferons, plasma exchange, and lymphoid irradiation. The book provides detailed information on the way experimental trials in multiple sclerosis are performed; many pitfalls are considered. Conclusions summarise current literature on intravenous pulse therapy with methylprednisolone and other, merely experimental ways of treatment. The book is well suited for anyone interested in the background of current therapy (and the lack of therapy) in multiple sclerosis and the developing therapeutic strategies for the future.
E. BOLLEN,MD University Hospital Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
Neurologic Differential Diagnosis, 2nd edition, by Mark Mumenthaler, translated and annotated by Otto Appenzeller, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York, 178 pages, DM68.00, ISBN 3 13 665002 6 The number of monographs that are based on closed approximation of daffy clinical practice, and in that design and writing, have become a success, is small and can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand. One of the earliest and most successful was that surgical textbook written by De Quervain, under the title "25 Vorlesungen".
In neurology, every, older neuroiog~s~ will vividly remember Robert Bing's "'Compendium der topiscbet~ (jchim- und Rfiekcnmarks D~ agnostik", later annotated and clahor~ted by the late Webb Ha~ maker. Mumenthaler's "Ncurologic Differential Diagnosis ~' i~ the most recent monograph in this augu~e series, and. as if bistm3r repeats itself, this 2nd edition has be,~:n lranslated and annotated b~ Dr. Appenzeller, the well-known neurologist and author of various neurological textbooks that are succcssful in their own right. John Patten's neurological differential diagnosis was conceived along the same lines but emphasised the neu~o~matomy underlying the symptoms. This edition, a delight to read, presumes a level ot neurological education and training of at least 3 years. It then, in its first part. deals with a number of disorders which the clinician presumably has already Iocalised. i.e. the neurologist has not only arrived at ~,. functional diagnosis, but also at an anatomical diagnosis. This part aims to aid in the final etiological diagnosis. The second part of the book deals with a number of disorders ~hich have been functionally delineated, but the cause of which has not yet been Iocalised within the nervous system. In this part the true Iocalising significa~ces of neurological symptoms is set out clearly and poignantly. The index of the book will greatly aid its user to find the appropriate pages where his or her diagnostic problem is dealt with. A lavish list of well over a thousand pertinent references is added as a most thoughtful gesture for the reader. This is a true bedside book and ought to figure on the desk in the out-patient office of every practicing neurologist. It serves admirably the noble art of using one's brain firs1 in attempting to arrive at a diagnosis, and not to resort to the modern electrophysiological and radiological auxiliary techniques, without a very. specific query to be answered by the latter. The monograph is lavishly illustrated with superb drawings and schemes, to bring home ad oculos the points made in the text. Various handy tables recapitulate essentials. Both authors are to be complimented on their efforts. The Publishing House provided a format and quality of execution of the book that is proverbial. The price is moderate. Unreservedly recommended. Dr. G.W. t3RtlVN~ Prof. em. Department of Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden, Leiden. The Netherlands
Klinische Psychopathologie, 14th unchanged edition, by Kurt Schneider, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York, 117 pages, DM44.00, ISBN 3-13398214-1 "The small volume is not a book of reference but a reading book" (ein Lesebuch), wrote the author in the preface to the 6th edition in 1962. The 14th edition presents in 80 pages of crystal Clear language, 3 pages of pivotal references, 31 pages of competent comments on the authors' fundamental psychiatric position, and 3 pages of subject index a precious example of concise and well-balanced psychiatric thinking, polished by clinical practice. One would wish this textbook to be translated into English (the English edition dates from 1959. Many improvements have been added since then). A. JENNEKENS-SCHINKEL,MD Department of Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden Leiden, The Netherlands
Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: Trial Design, Results and Future Perspective, R.A. Rudick and D.E. Goodkin (eds.), 1992, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg/New York/ Tokio, 313 pages, DM210.00, ISBN 3-540-19683-8 An extensive review of therapeutic trials of the past 10 years is given. Many aspects are considered: design and statistical issues, natural history of multiple sclerosis and its influence on results of therapeutic trials, data analysis, assesment of the outcome of experimental therapies, lessons from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, and many treatment strategies: ACTH, corticoids, azathioprine, copolymer I, eyelophosphamide, cyclosporine A, interferons, plasma exchange, and lymphoid irradiation. The book provides detailed information on the way experimental trials in multiple sclerosis are performed; many pitfalls are considered. Conclusions summarise current literature on intravenous pulse therapy with methylprednisolone and other, merely experimental ways of treatment. The book is well suited for anyone interested in the background of current therapy (and the lack of therapy) in multiple sclerosis and the developing therapeutic strategies for the future.
E. BOLLEN,MD University Hospital Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
Neurologic Differential Diagnosis, 2nd edition, by Mark Mumenthaler, translated and annotated by Otto Appenzeller, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York, 178 pages, DM68.00, ISBN 3 13 665002 6 The number of monographs that are based on closed approximation of daffy clinical practice, and in that design and writing, have become a success, is small and can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand. One of the earliest and most successful was that surgical textbook written by De Quervain, under the title "25 Vorlesungen".
In neurology, every, older neuroiog~s~ will vividly remember Robert Bing's "'Compendium der topiscbet~ (jchim- und Rfiekcnmarks D~ agnostik", later annotated and clahor~ted by the late Webb Ha~ maker. Mumenthaler's "Ncurologic Differential Diagnosis ~' i~ the most recent monograph in this augu~e series, and. as if bistm3r repeats itself, this 2nd edition has be,~:n lranslated and annotated b~ Dr. Appenzeller, the well-known neurologist and author of various neurological textbooks that are succcssful in their own right. John Patten's neurological differential diagnosis was conceived along the same lines but emphasised the neu~o~matomy underlying the symptoms. This edition, a delight to read, presumes a level ot neurological education and training of at least 3 years. It then, in its first part. deals with a number of disorders which the clinician presumably has already Iocalised. i.e. the neurologist has not only arrived at ~,. functional diagnosis, but also at an anatomical diagnosis. This part aims to aid in the final etiological diagnosis. The second part of the book deals with a number of disorders ~hich have been functionally delineated, but the cause of which has not yet been Iocalised within the nervous system. In this part the true Iocalising significa~ces of neurological symptoms is set out clearly and poignantly. The index of the book will greatly aid its user to find the appropriate pages where his or her diagnostic problem is dealt with. A lavish list of well over a thousand pertinent references is added as a most thoughtful gesture for the reader. This is a true bedside book and ought to figure on the desk in the out-patient office of every practicing neurologist. It serves admirably the noble art of using one's brain firs1 in attempting to arrive at a diagnosis, and not to resort to the modern electrophysiological and radiological auxiliary techniques, without a very. specific query to be answered by the latter. The monograph is lavishly illustrated with superb drawings and schemes, to bring home ad oculos the points made in the text. Various handy tables recapitulate essentials. Both authors are to be complimented on their efforts. The Publishing House provided a format and quality of execution of the book that is proverbial. The price is moderate. Unreservedly recommended. Dr. G.W. t3RtlVN~ Prof. em. Department of Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden, Leiden. The Netherlands
Klinische Psychopathologie, 14th unchanged edition, by Kurt Schneider, 1992, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart/New York, 117 pages, DM44.00, ISBN 3-13398214-1 "The small volume is not a book of reference but a reading book" (ein Lesebuch), wrote the author in the preface to the 6th edition in 1962. The 14th edition presents in 80 pages of crystal Clear language, 3 pages of pivotal references, 31 pages of competent comments on the authors' fundamental psychiatric position, and 3 pages of subject index a precious example of concise and well-balanced psychiatric thinking, polished by clinical practice. One would wish this textbook to be translated into English (the English edition dates from 1959. Many improvements have been added since then). A. JENNEKENS-SCHINKEL,MD Department of Neurology Academic Hospital Leiden Leiden, The Netherlands