- Email: [email protected]
Regional anesthesia: Technique and clinical applications
123
In conjunction with this are 4 chapters concerning transcutaneous nerve stimulation, acupuncture, dorsal column stimulation and brain stimulation. The first two by Woolf and Melzack respectively are outstandingly clear and critical appraisals of methods of treatment frequently employed but not easily validated. The chapters relating to physiotherapy are perhaps the most disappointing of this section. In particular the chapters on manipulation and massage give very personalised views with little evidence provided to support hypotheses or validate efficacy. There are very few references in this section. Lastly, but hopefully not reflecting its place in management, is a discussion of psychotherapy. Again these chapters are well researched, very readable and provide sound opinion on how techniques biofeedback, counselling and behaviour therapy can be incorporated into clinical practice. The chapter on hypnosis by Orme and Dinges is excellent particularly for the debunking of many of the myths relating to the technique. In conclusion, it is hard to find any form of routinely used treatment with the exception of cryoanalgesia which has not been discussed. A glossary of pain terms is a rather serious omission in such a textbook and the editors might have included reference to the IASP deliberations on nomenclature. At 60 pounds, the book represents excellent value. It is pleasantly produced, although a trifle unwieldy. This is a very interesting and provocative book, and the editors must be applauded for their enterprise. The exercise of firmer editorial control in the clinical section of the book to bring these sections up to the consistently high standard of the scientific section will make this an outstanding book and a worthy heir to the crown which Bonica’s masterpiece has worn for so long. J.H. Chamberlain
Pain Relief Clinic, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT (U.K.) P.J.D. Evans
Charing Cross Hospital, London {U.K.) D.N. Justins St. Tharn~~ Hospital, London (U.K..) Regional Anesthesia: Technique and Clinical Applications, by H. Carron, G.A. Korban and J.C. Rowlingson,
Grune
and Stratton,
Orlando,
FL, 1985, U.S. $39.50.
This is one of several recent books on the subject of regional anesthesia, reflecting increased interest in the field. The authors have directed the book primarily toward anesthesiology residents, but also to other interested practitioners. The introduction is a concise but remarkably thorough review of local anesthetic pharmacology by Dr. Cosmo Fazio. The remainder of the book is by the authors and is divided according to the type of block. The chapters on epidural, subarachnoid, sympathetic, pain and neurolytic blocks are remarkably well done, especially consid-
124
ering the condensed nature of the text. Other sections, most notably cervical, brachial and lumbar plexus blocks, are too brief to be of use to most individuals attempting these procedures without prior experience or supervision. Inevitably, a text of this scope will have some omissions. For example, in describing the technique of axillary blockade, the authors state that if it is performed high enough in the axilla there will be no need to block the musculocutaneous nerve separately. Later in the text, techniques for anesthetizing the radial, median and ulnar nerves are discussed, but never the musculocutaneous nerve. Paraplegia is not mentioned as a potential complication of lytic celiac or lumbar plexus blocks: potentially an unhappy omission for those obtaining informed consent. These limitations are relatively minor. The text is concise and easily read, and the illustrations are well done. On the whole the book is worthwhile, particularly for a student of regional anesthesia desiring a convenient review prior to learning the procedures under skilled supervision. Peter M. Nickel Department ofAnesthesiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO (U.S.A.)
An introduction to MedicaI Manipulation, Lancaster, 1985.
by J.K. Paterson
and L. Bum, MTP Press,
The aim of this book is to provide a balanced view of current knowledge required by manipulators. It has succeeded and I would recommend this work to all practitioners interested in manipulation. The authors have boldly tackled many of the dilemmas faced by practitioners in their everyday work. For example the lack of correlation between radiological findings and pain is explored in detail. There is also a helpful approach to the phenomenon of referred pain: low back pain may arise from the thoracolumbar region; headaches, thoracic pain and tennis elbow may all
on occasion be referred from tender structures in the neck. The interpretation of some rarely described physical signs is given. Throughout the text there is an extensive and intelligently selected review of the literature - particularly when the authors compare the success rates of many forms of management of a variety of painful disorders. My only criticism springs perhaps from my ignorance of manipulative practice. At the end of the book I wanted to know more about the indications for the particular manipulative procedures photographed and lucidly described in the text - but I suspect that such knowledge can never be described adequately in a book. As I have a weakness for well annotated references and challenging statements, I would like to congratulate the authors for providing us with a most interesting and worthwhile book - based on many years of excellent observation and practice in a difficult clinical field. A.J.R. Macdonald I9 R~~hrn~nd Hill, Bristol 8 (U.K.ru.)
In conjunction with this are 4 chapters concerning transcutaneous nerve stimulation, acupuncture, dorsal column stimulation and brain stimulation. The first two by Woolf and Melzack respectively are outstandingly clear and critical appraisals of methods of treatment frequently employed but not easily validated. The chapters relating to physiotherapy are perhaps the most disappointing of this section. In particular the chapters on manipulation and massage give very personalised views with little evidence provided to support hypotheses or validate efficacy. There are very few references in this section. Lastly, but hopefully not reflecting its place in management, is a discussion of psychotherapy. Again these chapters are well researched, very readable and provide sound opinion on how techniques biofeedback, counselling and behaviour therapy can be incorporated into clinical practice. The chapter on hypnosis by Orme and Dinges is excellent particularly for the debunking of many of the myths relating to the technique. In conclusion, it is hard to find any form of routinely used treatment with the exception of cryoanalgesia which has not been discussed. A glossary of pain terms is a rather serious omission in such a textbook and the editors might have included reference to the IASP deliberations on nomenclature. At 60 pounds, the book represents excellent value. It is pleasantly produced, although a trifle unwieldy. This is a very interesting and provocative book, and the editors must be applauded for their enterprise. The exercise of firmer editorial control in the clinical section of the book to bring these sections up to the consistently high standard of the scientific section will make this an outstanding book and a worthy heir to the crown which Bonica’s masterpiece has worn for so long. J.H. Chamberlain
Pain Relief Clinic, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT (U.K.) P.J.D. Evans
Charing Cross Hospital, London {U.K.) D.N. Justins St. Tharn~~ Hospital, London (U.K..) Regional Anesthesia: Technique and Clinical Applications, by H. Carron, G.A. Korban and J.C. Rowlingson,
Grune
and Stratton,
Orlando,
FL, 1985, U.S. $39.50.
This is one of several recent books on the subject of regional anesthesia, reflecting increased interest in the field. The authors have directed the book primarily toward anesthesiology residents, but also to other interested practitioners. The introduction is a concise but remarkably thorough review of local anesthetic pharmacology by Dr. Cosmo Fazio. The remainder of the book is by the authors and is divided according to the type of block. The chapters on epidural, subarachnoid, sympathetic, pain and neurolytic blocks are remarkably well done, especially consid-
124
ering the condensed nature of the text. Other sections, most notably cervical, brachial and lumbar plexus blocks, are too brief to be of use to most individuals attempting these procedures without prior experience or supervision. Inevitably, a text of this scope will have some omissions. For example, in describing the technique of axillary blockade, the authors state that if it is performed high enough in the axilla there will be no need to block the musculocutaneous nerve separately. Later in the text, techniques for anesthetizing the radial, median and ulnar nerves are discussed, but never the musculocutaneous nerve. Paraplegia is not mentioned as a potential complication of lytic celiac or lumbar plexus blocks: potentially an unhappy omission for those obtaining informed consent. These limitations are relatively minor. The text is concise and easily read, and the illustrations are well done. On the whole the book is worthwhile, particularly for a student of regional anesthesia desiring a convenient review prior to learning the procedures under skilled supervision. Peter M. Nickel Department ofAnesthesiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO (U.S.A.)
An introduction to MedicaI Manipulation, Lancaster, 1985.
by J.K. Paterson
and L. Bum, MTP Press,
The aim of this book is to provide a balanced view of current knowledge required by manipulators. It has succeeded and I would recommend this work to all practitioners interested in manipulation. The authors have boldly tackled many of the dilemmas faced by practitioners in their everyday work. For example the lack of correlation between radiological findings and pain is explored in detail. There is also a helpful approach to the phenomenon of referred pain: low back pain may arise from the thoracolumbar region; headaches, thoracic pain and tennis elbow may all
on occasion be referred from tender structures in the neck. The interpretation of some rarely described physical signs is given. Throughout the text there is an extensive and intelligently selected review of the literature - particularly when the authors compare the success rates of many forms of management of a variety of painful disorders. My only criticism springs perhaps from my ignorance of manipulative practice. At the end of the book I wanted to know more about the indications for the particular manipulative procedures photographed and lucidly described in the text - but I suspect that such knowledge can never be described adequately in a book. As I have a weakness for well annotated references and challenging statements, I would like to congratulate the authors for providing us with a most interesting and worthwhile book - based on many years of excellent observation and practice in a difficult clinical field. A.J.R. Macdonald I9 R~~hrn~nd Hill, Bristol 8 (U.K.ru.)