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Taste and smell disorders
BOOK
435
REVIEWS
diology for Tumors of the Temporal Bone” was succinctly reviewed by Valavanis in Chapter 15. In summary, the second edition of Head and Neck Surgery, volume 2, provides a comprehensive surgical atlas for otologic surgery. The textbook is well-suited for otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons interested in otologic and neurotologic skull base surgery. The organizational format maintained in the current volume is well-conceived and presented. This textbook is an excellent resource for the preoperative, operative, and postoperative assessment and management of otologic disorders and tumors. Barry E. Hirsch, Pittsburgh,
MD PA
Taste and Smell Disorders by Allen M. Seiden. New York, NY, Thieme, 1996, 215 pages, $69.00. Taste and Smell Disorders is another volume in the ongoing series Rhinology and Sinusology edited by Dr Howard Levine. The present text deals with the basic anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of taste and smell. The first chapter, written by Dr James Snow, director of the National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders, discusses the importance of the chemical senses. The assessment of patients with taste and smell disorders is then broadly covered. The rest of the book is divided between olfaction and gustation. Olfaction entails a majority of the text, with the basic anatomy and physiology being discussed along with pratical approaches to clinical olfactory testing. The major known causes of loss of olfaction are then discussed (eg, olfactory loss secondary to nasal and sinus pathology, postviral olfactory loss, posttraumatic olfactory loss, and olfactory loss secondary to toxic exposure). Biopsy and related histology of olfactory mucosa is also covered. The remainder of the text then deals with taste. Once again, basic anatomy and physiology are covered including taste testing in clinical practice. The chapter dealing with the burning mouth syndrome makes us fully aware of how much further we have to go in managing this difficult condition. The text concludes with the discussion of aging and the chemical senses. This book is very up-to-date, including pertinent references at the end of each chapter. It is clinically oriented but yet tries to introduce the pertinent basic sciences. After reading this text, one has gained an insight into our present knowledge of the chemosensory organs, however, the clinician will certainly be a little frustrated in realizing how much more work is needed to manage taste and smell disorders. Roger S. Kaufman, MD Syracuse, NY
Neurosurgical Operative Atlas, vol IV. Rengachary and Wilkins (eds). Chicago, IL, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1995, 257 pages, $165.00. Neurosurgical Operative Atlas is a multiple volume surgical atlas. The first three volumes are the core of the atlas and are sold in a set for $600.00. Only volume IV was available for this review. This volume and subsequent annual volumes are designed to add to, or replace, material in the first three volumes. Volume IV consists of 25 chapters (257 pages) and is approximately half the length of the other volumes. As expected, the majority of the chapters deal with neurosurgical procedures. Some of the chapters, however, are written by otolaryngologists and deal with conditions and techniques that are of interest to both disciplines: orbital approaches, spasmodic torticollis, intracranial glomus tumors, translabyrinthine removal of acoustic neuromas, and gamma knife radiosurgery. A review of the index of the first three volumes reveals similar coverage of procedures which are of interest to the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. There is some redundancy of topics. For example, there are at least three different chapters devoted to anterior craniofacial resection in the first three volumes. Indexes are provided for authors as well as procedures (grouped by diagnoses). In volume IV, the chapters are not numbered and some of the pages were placed in the loose-leaf binder out of order. In general, the chapters follow a common format: introduction, preoperative evaluation, operative techniques, postoperative care, and complications. In many chapters, however, the material is very brief and there is no discussion of postoperative care or complications. Outcome data are generally not provided. The atlas includes numerous illustrations with a multitude of artistic styles and levels of quality. There is a generous use of color illustrations in many chapters. A review of chapters dealing with topics of interest to the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon reveals some deficiencies. For instance in “Neurosurgical Approaches to the Orbit,” the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia is incorrectly called the superficial temporalis fascia. The placement of the fascial incision for the protection of the temporal branches of the facial nerve is incorrect. The pericranial flap design is inadequate for closure of large anterior cranial base defects. There is inadequate detail provided regarding the management of an exposed frontal sinus. The chapter “Surgical Treatment of Intracranial Glomus Tumors” is excellent but provides no mention of staging systems and how they direct surgical decision-making. The chapter on “Translabyrinthine Removal of Acoustic Neuromas” is very brief and has poor illustrations. Inadequate detail is provided for the non-otolaryngologist attempting to do temporal bone surgery.
435
REVIEWS
diology for Tumors of the Temporal Bone” was succinctly reviewed by Valavanis in Chapter 15. In summary, the second edition of Head and Neck Surgery, volume 2, provides a comprehensive surgical atlas for otologic surgery. The textbook is well-suited for otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons interested in otologic and neurotologic skull base surgery. The organizational format maintained in the current volume is well-conceived and presented. This textbook is an excellent resource for the preoperative, operative, and postoperative assessment and management of otologic disorders and tumors. Barry E. Hirsch, Pittsburgh,
MD PA
Taste and Smell Disorders by Allen M. Seiden. New York, NY, Thieme, 1996, 215 pages, $69.00. Taste and Smell Disorders is another volume in the ongoing series Rhinology and Sinusology edited by Dr Howard Levine. The present text deals with the basic anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of taste and smell. The first chapter, written by Dr James Snow, director of the National Institute on Deafness and other communication disorders, discusses the importance of the chemical senses. The assessment of patients with taste and smell disorders is then broadly covered. The rest of the book is divided between olfaction and gustation. Olfaction entails a majority of the text, with the basic anatomy and physiology being discussed along with pratical approaches to clinical olfactory testing. The major known causes of loss of olfaction are then discussed (eg, olfactory loss secondary to nasal and sinus pathology, postviral olfactory loss, posttraumatic olfactory loss, and olfactory loss secondary to toxic exposure). Biopsy and related histology of olfactory mucosa is also covered. The remainder of the text then deals with taste. Once again, basic anatomy and physiology are covered including taste testing in clinical practice. The chapter dealing with the burning mouth syndrome makes us fully aware of how much further we have to go in managing this difficult condition. The text concludes with the discussion of aging and the chemical senses. This book is very up-to-date, including pertinent references at the end of each chapter. It is clinically oriented but yet tries to introduce the pertinent basic sciences. After reading this text, one has gained an insight into our present knowledge of the chemosensory organs, however, the clinician will certainly be a little frustrated in realizing how much more work is needed to manage taste and smell disorders. Roger S. Kaufman, MD Syracuse, NY
Neurosurgical Operative Atlas, vol IV. Rengachary and Wilkins (eds). Chicago, IL, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1995, 257 pages, $165.00. Neurosurgical Operative Atlas is a multiple volume surgical atlas. The first three volumes are the core of the atlas and are sold in a set for $600.00. Only volume IV was available for this review. This volume and subsequent annual volumes are designed to add to, or replace, material in the first three volumes. Volume IV consists of 25 chapters (257 pages) and is approximately half the length of the other volumes. As expected, the majority of the chapters deal with neurosurgical procedures. Some of the chapters, however, are written by otolaryngologists and deal with conditions and techniques that are of interest to both disciplines: orbital approaches, spasmodic torticollis, intracranial glomus tumors, translabyrinthine removal of acoustic neuromas, and gamma knife radiosurgery. A review of the index of the first three volumes reveals similar coverage of procedures which are of interest to the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. There is some redundancy of topics. For example, there are at least three different chapters devoted to anterior craniofacial resection in the first three volumes. Indexes are provided for authors as well as procedures (grouped by diagnoses). In volume IV, the chapters are not numbered and some of the pages were placed in the loose-leaf binder out of order. In general, the chapters follow a common format: introduction, preoperative evaluation, operative techniques, postoperative care, and complications. In many chapters, however, the material is very brief and there is no discussion of postoperative care or complications. Outcome data are generally not provided. The atlas includes numerous illustrations with a multitude of artistic styles and levels of quality. There is a generous use of color illustrations in many chapters. A review of chapters dealing with topics of interest to the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon reveals some deficiencies. For instance in “Neurosurgical Approaches to the Orbit,” the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia is incorrectly called the superficial temporalis fascia. The placement of the fascial incision for the protection of the temporal branches of the facial nerve is incorrect. The pericranial flap design is inadequate for closure of large anterior cranial base defects. There is inadequate detail provided regarding the management of an exposed frontal sinus. The chapter “Surgical Treatment of Intracranial Glomus Tumors” is excellent but provides no mention of staging systems and how they direct surgical decision-making. The chapter on “Translabyrinthine Removal of Acoustic Neuromas” is very brief and has poor illustrations. Inadequate detail is provided for the non-otolaryngologist attempting to do temporal bone surgery.