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Stroke: A guide for patient and family
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Surg Neurol 1988;29:338-9
Book Reviews
Cerebral Blood Flow--Physiologic and Clinical Aspects. E d i t e d by J a m e s H . W o o d . 792 pages. $ 7 9 . 0 0 . . N e w Y o r k : M c G r a w - H i l l B o o k Co., 1987. The 765-page book is divided into nine sections for a total of 46 chapters that cover the full spectrum of cerebral blood flow. The first two sections on historical perspectives and cerebrovascular anatomy by Garcia and Conger are rudimentary, but contain a good microscopic study of ischemic vessels. The cerebrovascular physiology portion by Epvinsson et al includes excellent discussions on metabolic and rheologic control of blood flow with a tedious but complete review of vessel innervation. A review of clinical methods of blood flow measurement is complete, but contains very little new information. Experimental methods of cerebral blood flow measurements are reviewed very nicely in the fifth chapter, which also includes discussion of hydrogen clearance, microsphere, and autoradiographic methods of measurement. The sixth section on imaging of cerebral circulation is complete, but several chapters repeat concepts already solidified by previous chapters. This repetition is even more noticeable in the section on cerebrovascular pathophysiology which contains multiple repetitions of concepts. The section on cerebrovascular pharmacology contains two chapters on vasospasm by Wilkins and one on cerebral protection by Spetzler and Nettls which contain useful, exhaustive reference lists. Finally, a section on surgical and interventional augmentation covers corrective surgical as well as angiographic procedures. The writing is, with few exceptions, current and well done. Unfortunately, the multiple author format leads to several redundant chapters and several concepts are repeated many times. The text is printed and bound well, with good reproduction of prints and graphs. The editor balances basic research and clinical medicine with skillful mastery. This text would be a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in cerebrovascular disease. D A V I D J. GOWER, M.D. J. M. McWHORTER, M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Stroke: A Guide for Patient and Family By J a n i c e F r y e - P i e r s o n and J a m e s F. T o o l e . 223 pages. $ 1 5 . 0 0 ( p a p e r b a c k ) , $ 2 5 . 0 0 (hardcover). N e w Y o r k : R a v e n Press, 1987. This is not a book that will be sought out and read as a reference by either neurologists or neurosurgeons. But it is, as
its title implies, a practical, down-to-earth, nontechnical book designed for patients and their relatives who have had very little medical education. There are some efforts to delve into the possibility of future research, the changes that may occur in the treatment of stroke, and suggestions to help in the psychological adjustments associated with stroke that some patients have to face. One chapter, entitled "Home Modifications," is written by Ronald L. Mace, an architect who has been influential in developing modifications for public and private facilities so that handicapped individuals can have access to them. He writes an easy-to-read, common sense chapter that will be of help to anyone considering modifications that may be necessary in the home. There are a number of references in this chapter for those who want to pursue this matter further. Neurologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedists may want to recommend this book to their handicapped patients and relatives of these patients. EBEN ALEXANDER, Jr., M.D., Editor
Postoperative Complications of Extracranial Neurological Surgery. E d i t e d by N o r m a n H . H o r w i t z , M . D . , and H u g o V. Rizzoli, M . D . 387 pages. $65.00. B a l t i m o r e : W i l l i a m s & W i l k i n s , 1987. In the preface of this book the authors remind us that 20 years ago they edited Postoperative Complications in Neurosurgical Practice, and 5 years ago they edited the first half of the sequel,
Postoperative Complications of lntracranial Neurological Surgery. They now complete the task by reviewing extracranial neurological surgery and its potential and real complications. This four-part book is remarkably complete, readable, and well-referenced. Considering the number of persons who contributed to it, its clear style and lack of repetition are striking. Part I covers spinal surgery, and the first chapter, on the general complications of laminectomy, qualifies as a vade mecum for all neurosurgeons. In addition to its obvious direction, it gives thoughtful and reasoned explanations for care in positioning the patient, addressing such things as spinal, peripheral nerve, arterial, and venous compressions, and it covers intraoperative and postoperative air embolism, subdural pneumocephalus, tears, leaks, and infections, and postoperative skeletal deformities. In the second chapter, the same authors expand further on the specific complications of surgery for intervertebral disc disease and spinal stenosis. Publication of this book would have been justified on the basis of these two chapters alone. Chapter 5, on developmental spinal disorders, includes a
Surg Neurol 1988;29:338-9
Book Reviews
Cerebral Blood Flow--Physiologic and Clinical Aspects. E d i t e d by J a m e s H . W o o d . 792 pages. $ 7 9 . 0 0 . . N e w Y o r k : M c G r a w - H i l l B o o k Co., 1987. The 765-page book is divided into nine sections for a total of 46 chapters that cover the full spectrum of cerebral blood flow. The first two sections on historical perspectives and cerebrovascular anatomy by Garcia and Conger are rudimentary, but contain a good microscopic study of ischemic vessels. The cerebrovascular physiology portion by Epvinsson et al includes excellent discussions on metabolic and rheologic control of blood flow with a tedious but complete review of vessel innervation. A review of clinical methods of blood flow measurement is complete, but contains very little new information. Experimental methods of cerebral blood flow measurements are reviewed very nicely in the fifth chapter, which also includes discussion of hydrogen clearance, microsphere, and autoradiographic methods of measurement. The sixth section on imaging of cerebral circulation is complete, but several chapters repeat concepts already solidified by previous chapters. This repetition is even more noticeable in the section on cerebrovascular pathophysiology which contains multiple repetitions of concepts. The section on cerebrovascular pharmacology contains two chapters on vasospasm by Wilkins and one on cerebral protection by Spetzler and Nettls which contain useful, exhaustive reference lists. Finally, a section on surgical and interventional augmentation covers corrective surgical as well as angiographic procedures. The writing is, with few exceptions, current and well done. Unfortunately, the multiple author format leads to several redundant chapters and several concepts are repeated many times. The text is printed and bound well, with good reproduction of prints and graphs. The editor balances basic research and clinical medicine with skillful mastery. This text would be a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in cerebrovascular disease. D A V I D J. GOWER, M.D. J. M. McWHORTER, M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Stroke: A Guide for Patient and Family By J a n i c e F r y e - P i e r s o n and J a m e s F. T o o l e . 223 pages. $ 1 5 . 0 0 ( p a p e r b a c k ) , $ 2 5 . 0 0 (hardcover). N e w Y o r k : R a v e n Press, 1987. This is not a book that will be sought out and read as a reference by either neurologists or neurosurgeons. But it is, as
its title implies, a practical, down-to-earth, nontechnical book designed for patients and their relatives who have had very little medical education. There are some efforts to delve into the possibility of future research, the changes that may occur in the treatment of stroke, and suggestions to help in the psychological adjustments associated with stroke that some patients have to face. One chapter, entitled "Home Modifications," is written by Ronald L. Mace, an architect who has been influential in developing modifications for public and private facilities so that handicapped individuals can have access to them. He writes an easy-to-read, common sense chapter that will be of help to anyone considering modifications that may be necessary in the home. There are a number of references in this chapter for those who want to pursue this matter further. Neurologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedists may want to recommend this book to their handicapped patients and relatives of these patients. EBEN ALEXANDER, Jr., M.D., Editor
Postoperative Complications of Extracranial Neurological Surgery. E d i t e d by N o r m a n H . H o r w i t z , M . D . , and H u g o V. Rizzoli, M . D . 387 pages. $65.00. B a l t i m o r e : W i l l i a m s & W i l k i n s , 1987. In the preface of this book the authors remind us that 20 years ago they edited Postoperative Complications in Neurosurgical Practice, and 5 years ago they edited the first half of the sequel,
Postoperative Complications of lntracranial Neurological Surgery. They now complete the task by reviewing extracranial neurological surgery and its potential and real complications. This four-part book is remarkably complete, readable, and well-referenced. Considering the number of persons who contributed to it, its clear style and lack of repetition are striking. Part I covers spinal surgery, and the first chapter, on the general complications of laminectomy, qualifies as a vade mecum for all neurosurgeons. In addition to its obvious direction, it gives thoughtful and reasoned explanations for care in positioning the patient, addressing such things as spinal, peripheral nerve, arterial, and venous compressions, and it covers intraoperative and postoperative air embolism, subdural pneumocephalus, tears, leaks, and infections, and postoperative skeletal deformities. In the second chapter, the same authors expand further on the specific complications of surgery for intervertebral disc disease and spinal stenosis. Publication of this book would have been justified on the basis of these two chapters alone. Chapter 5, on developmental spinal disorders, includes a