- Email: [email protected]
Neuroimaging in epilepsy, principles and practise
577
Book reviews tory testing are detailed and the final chapter describes treatment and prevention of these HMD. Each chapter of this well written text begins with a general overview and consideration of common features of HMD of the specific age groups. The descriptions of most HMDs are more detailed than those found in pediatric neurology textbooks. This book provides particularly good descriptions of the common clinical presentation of HMD. Some readers, however, may find that there is over-emphasis of atypical features in some diseases. Figures and photographs are of good quality. Tables are straightforward and greatly improved as compared to the first edition. Biochemical findings are well described but without summarizing diagrams which might be helpful in understanding HMDs. Genetics and prenatal diagnosis, which denote relatively new development, are reasonably well presented; the latest molecular genetic findings are updated in this edition. The pathology in many of the diseases deserves better detailed description. Guidelines for diagnostic workup are clearly illustrated. The treatment section provides general principles for the care of most of the diseases with specific details for some treatable diseases. For epileptologists, especially those who manage pediatric epilepsy, this book provides useful and contemporary information regarding the evaluation of patients with intractable epilepsy and possible HMDs.
with the selection of ethosuximide and lamotrigine, either in combination or as monotherapy when appropriate. The identification of families with this entity might indeed encourage one to move along in the therapeutic possibilities more rapidly. The editors and authors of this collection clearly feel that Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences represents a true and distinct syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. The reader should examine the text and will probably agree that this does represent a true syndrome which should be appropriately diagnosed by clinicians to allow for appropriate treatment. The book is clearly written and organized, although redundancy is the rule. This short book will be best received by those academics who are deeply interested in epilepsy syndrome classification. John M. Pellock Division of Child Neurology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA PII S0013-4694(97)00058-8 Neuroimaging in epilepsy, principles and practice – Gregory D. Cascino and Clifford R. Jack, Jr. (Eds.) (Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, 1996, 302 pp. Price US$150. 00
Xue Ming Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA S0013-4694(97)00053-9 Eyelid myoclonia with absences – John S. Duneas, D.U. Duncan, C.P. Panayiotopoulos (John Libbey, London, 1996, 129 pp. Price US$ 31.00) This book has been written to bring together the concepts that Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences represents a true and separate epilepsy syndrome. The editors set the stage in the preface by stating that a conference was held in 1994 leading to a publication entitled Typical Absences and Related Epileptic Syndromes but many controversies continued. The syndrome of Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences proved to be of particular interest, and a symposium was later held in November 1995 at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. This book is a collection of manuscripts prepared shortly after that meeting to reflect the current knowledge concerning this syndrome. The book begins with an outstanding review of the anatomy and physiology of the eyelids. Gordan Plant provides a concise yet illuminating review of the anatomy and physiology involved in blinking, blepharospasm, myoclonus and other associated movements. This is followed by a historical presentation of the syndrome in question by Professor Jeavons. Immediately apparent are the possible variations within the syndrome through the description of various patients. Similar findings are then repeated by authors at various centers in other chapters. The authors seem to agree that Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences is a distinct syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy characterized by a triad of eyelid myoclonia associated with brief absences, electrographic generalized discharges of 3–6 Hz polyspikes and slow waves which are brief and precipitated primarily by eye closure and photosensitivity. A number describes the unmistakable phenomenon of eyelid myoclonus. The importance of the syndrome is that the absences associated may be more difficult to treat than other epilepsies characterized by absences. As a photosensitive epilepsy, furthermore, patients may self-induce seizures. The difficulty in distinguishing self-induction and eyelid myoclonia is discussed by Binnie. Regarding the treatment of this syndrome, Professor Richens sets a clear algorithm beginning with valproate monotherapy and then continuing
It is not unusual to read explanations in the popular press regarding why government research grants should not be ‘tied’ to particular disorders but, rather, should include investigations into general principles, principles which might or might not lead to the understanding of, or improve diagnosis or treatment of, individual diseases. There are probably few better examples of the wisdom of this approach than that provided by imaging over the past several decades. Who would have predicted four decades ago that research on the spin characteristics of atomic nuclei or on the characteristics of induced magnetic fields over space and time would lead to devices that would change the way in which we are able to diagnose and treat medical diseases? The advances in neuroimaging are such an example. This book is a summary of our understanding of the principles underlying neuroimaging. The book covers, in turn, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional and magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography. The chapters serve as both primer regarding and summary of our current understanding of these techniques. Many of them are remarkable in their clarity. The chapters related to epilepsy surgery per se cover territory that is more familiar to the book’s target audience, but sections of these, for example, those covering pathology schema for the developmental disorders, are of very current interest. There are some minor points which could have been improved. For example, Tables 1-2 and 1-5 cover very similar information, but the order of the items in the tables differs, making it somewhat more difficult for readers to appreciate the essential points being made. The index includes references to T1 and T2, but not to T2*. A statement is made (p. 152) that, ‘Optic imaging studies indicate that the initial response to sensory stimulation occurs from 200 ms to 400 ms after the onset of the stimulus.’ This will be a surprise to most electrophysiologists; presumably what was meant was that the first optic imaging response occurs within this time frame. But these are minor points. Overall, this is a superb and superbly conceived and executed volume. Its organization and presentation are tributes are to the editors and also, I suspect, to the staff of the section of publications at the Mayo Clinic. Ronald P. Lesser Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA S0013-4694(97)00089-8
Book reviews tory testing are detailed and the final chapter describes treatment and prevention of these HMD. Each chapter of this well written text begins with a general overview and consideration of common features of HMD of the specific age groups. The descriptions of most HMDs are more detailed than those found in pediatric neurology textbooks. This book provides particularly good descriptions of the common clinical presentation of HMD. Some readers, however, may find that there is over-emphasis of atypical features in some diseases. Figures and photographs are of good quality. Tables are straightforward and greatly improved as compared to the first edition. Biochemical findings are well described but without summarizing diagrams which might be helpful in understanding HMDs. Genetics and prenatal diagnosis, which denote relatively new development, are reasonably well presented; the latest molecular genetic findings are updated in this edition. The pathology in many of the diseases deserves better detailed description. Guidelines for diagnostic workup are clearly illustrated. The treatment section provides general principles for the care of most of the diseases with specific details for some treatable diseases. For epileptologists, especially those who manage pediatric epilepsy, this book provides useful and contemporary information regarding the evaluation of patients with intractable epilepsy and possible HMDs.
with the selection of ethosuximide and lamotrigine, either in combination or as monotherapy when appropriate. The identification of families with this entity might indeed encourage one to move along in the therapeutic possibilities more rapidly. The editors and authors of this collection clearly feel that Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences represents a true and distinct syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. The reader should examine the text and will probably agree that this does represent a true syndrome which should be appropriately diagnosed by clinicians to allow for appropriate treatment. The book is clearly written and organized, although redundancy is the rule. This short book will be best received by those academics who are deeply interested in epilepsy syndrome classification. John M. Pellock Division of Child Neurology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA PII S0013-4694(97)00058-8 Neuroimaging in epilepsy, principles and practice – Gregory D. Cascino and Clifford R. Jack, Jr. (Eds.) (Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, 1996, 302 pp. Price US$150. 00
Xue Ming Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA S0013-4694(97)00053-9 Eyelid myoclonia with absences – John S. Duneas, D.U. Duncan, C.P. Panayiotopoulos (John Libbey, London, 1996, 129 pp. Price US$ 31.00) This book has been written to bring together the concepts that Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences represents a true and separate epilepsy syndrome. The editors set the stage in the preface by stating that a conference was held in 1994 leading to a publication entitled Typical Absences and Related Epileptic Syndromes but many controversies continued. The syndrome of Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences proved to be of particular interest, and a symposium was later held in November 1995 at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. This book is a collection of manuscripts prepared shortly after that meeting to reflect the current knowledge concerning this syndrome. The book begins with an outstanding review of the anatomy and physiology of the eyelids. Gordan Plant provides a concise yet illuminating review of the anatomy and physiology involved in blinking, blepharospasm, myoclonus and other associated movements. This is followed by a historical presentation of the syndrome in question by Professor Jeavons. Immediately apparent are the possible variations within the syndrome through the description of various patients. Similar findings are then repeated by authors at various centers in other chapters. The authors seem to agree that Eyelid Myoclonia with Absences is a distinct syndrome of idiopathic generalized epilepsy characterized by a triad of eyelid myoclonia associated with brief absences, electrographic generalized discharges of 3–6 Hz polyspikes and slow waves which are brief and precipitated primarily by eye closure and photosensitivity. A number describes the unmistakable phenomenon of eyelid myoclonus. The importance of the syndrome is that the absences associated may be more difficult to treat than other epilepsies characterized by absences. As a photosensitive epilepsy, furthermore, patients may self-induce seizures. The difficulty in distinguishing self-induction and eyelid myoclonia is discussed by Binnie. Regarding the treatment of this syndrome, Professor Richens sets a clear algorithm beginning with valproate monotherapy and then continuing
It is not unusual to read explanations in the popular press regarding why government research grants should not be ‘tied’ to particular disorders but, rather, should include investigations into general principles, principles which might or might not lead to the understanding of, or improve diagnosis or treatment of, individual diseases. There are probably few better examples of the wisdom of this approach than that provided by imaging over the past several decades. Who would have predicted four decades ago that research on the spin characteristics of atomic nuclei or on the characteristics of induced magnetic fields over space and time would lead to devices that would change the way in which we are able to diagnose and treat medical diseases? The advances in neuroimaging are such an example. This book is a summary of our understanding of the principles underlying neuroimaging. The book covers, in turn, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional and magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography. The chapters serve as both primer regarding and summary of our current understanding of these techniques. Many of them are remarkable in their clarity. The chapters related to epilepsy surgery per se cover territory that is more familiar to the book’s target audience, but sections of these, for example, those covering pathology schema for the developmental disorders, are of very current interest. There are some minor points which could have been improved. For example, Tables 1-2 and 1-5 cover very similar information, but the order of the items in the tables differs, making it somewhat more difficult for readers to appreciate the essential points being made. The index includes references to T1 and T2, but not to T2*. A statement is made (p. 152) that, ‘Optic imaging studies indicate that the initial response to sensory stimulation occurs from 200 ms to 400 ms after the onset of the stimulus.’ This will be a surprise to most electrophysiologists; presumably what was meant was that the first optic imaging response occurs within this time frame. But these are minor points. Overall, this is a superb and superbly conceived and executed volume. Its organization and presentation are tributes are to the editors and also, I suspect, to the staff of the section of publications at the Mayo Clinic. Ronald P. Lesser Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA S0013-4694(97)00089-8