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Textbook of neuropathology, second edition
Book Reviews
mittee, headed by Robert H. Wilkins, is a prime example of the manner in which this committee has planned the presentation before asking the various contributors from North America to present their subjects. Each subject is planned in order, and the chapters are well illustrated, as each one of the authors is experienced in the field and has adequate, or more than adequate, clinical material to illustrate whatever points are to be made. The entire book is well printed and well illustrated, with an excellent up-to-date bibliography. It would be superfluous to point out the numerous outstanding examples, since anyone who is interested in this subject (and this should include all neurosurgeons) will want to own this book and will want to read various portions at intervals when specifically faced with the subject well covered in this volume. The volume begins with the study of vascular malformations, the pathology and grading, natural history of cavernous malformations, clinical presentations, and imaging. There is an excellent discussion of various diagnostic measures, blood flow studies, and operative management, and the operative techniques sections are well done. There is a good discussion of complications of surgical resection of arteriovenous malformations. One should not fail to read the excellent preface by Dr. Barrow, the editor who planned this volume, and "Clinical Decision Making in Management of Intracranial Vascular Malformations," by Eugene Flamm, M.D., from Philadelphia, who has obviously been a part of the planning process and has read the volume. He gives a conservative approach toward all modern techniques, giving each one adequate attention and expressing his own preference for the ways in which some of these lesions are treated. It would be difficult to praise this book more than the editor has already praised it in this review, but it is recommended that all neurosurgeons own this book. EBEN ALEXANDER, JR., M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Textbook of Neuropathology, Second Edition. E d i t e d by R i c h a r d L. Davis and D a v i d M. R o b e r t s o n . 1155 pages. B a l t i m o r e : W i l l i a m s & W i l k i n s , 1991. The second edition of Davis and Robertson's Textbook of Neuropathology is a comprehensive volume that generally follows the organization of the original 1985 edition. The complete spectrum of non-neoplastic diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve is discussed in detail. Most chapters begin with general introductions (part pathophysiology, part editorial) that put the subsequent details about individual diseases into an overall perspective. The first four chapters on the normal histology and ultrastructure of the nervous system are particularly well done and are elegantly illustrated. The electron micrographs are superb. The chapters on congenital malformations and perinatal pathology begin with useful discussions on how to examine and/or dissect postmortem brain specimens in these categories. These are particularly designed for residents and general pathologists, but they are also useful to those neuropathologists
Surg Neurol 1991;36:71-6
73
who see relatively few pediatric cases. The normal development of the nervous system, as it applies to pediatric neuropathology, is described in some detail; this gives the reader a framework for evaluating the normality of fetuses and preterm infants. The final chapter in the book is a new one on peripheral nerve pathology. This chapter is well written, reasonably comprehensive, and could easily substitute for many of the smaller textbooks on the subject. An overall strength of the book is the extensive list of primary references at the end of each chapter. By necessity, the references include many older, "classic" citations, but more recent articles are included as appropriate. The only general deficiency noted was the uneven quality of the photographs of gross specimens. While some were of high quality, others detracted from the text. In summary, this text organizes an enormous amount of detail into a volume that is relatively easy to ready. It can be recommended with confidence to a wide audience, including residents and attending physicians in pathology, neurology, and neurosurgery. BARBARA J. CRAIN, M.D., Ph.D. Durham, North Carolina
S p i n a l T u m o r s in C h i l d r e n a n d A d o l e s c e n t s . E d i t e d by Ignacio P a s c u a l - C a s t r o v i e j o . 296 pages. $108.00. Raven: N e w Y o r k . It will surprise some potential readers that a volume on spinal tumors would be largely produced by a neurologist rather than a neurosurgeon. Nevertheless, the e d i t o r - - a n d author of three quarters of the chapters of this b o o k - - i s an eminent pediatric neurologist in Madrid, who clearly has extensive experience with children so afflicted and has produced a lively and useful volume on this subject. Pascual-Castroviejo has written chapters about specific tumors arising from gila, meninges and roots, neural crest, cartilage, bone and soft tissues, as well as vascular lesions, inflammatory lesions, and congenital malformations. Chapters by other contributors discuss the radiation therapy of spinal tumors, neuroimaging, and neuropathology. Except for one major chapter by Dr. Fred Epstein on the subject of intramedullary spinal cord tumors, there is virtually no discussion of surgical technique in the book. Important issues, such as the question of spinal stability in growing children after tumor resection, are never considered. The book would be improved if it were seasoned with other chapters with practical operative advice. An interesting issue that comes up in discussion of pediatric spinal tumors is the relationship between neoplastic disease and congenital anomalies. The discussion of the epidemiology of spinal cord tumors in children in the first chapter makes it clear that this is a problem in comparing various series. While it may be reasonable to discuss these non-neoplastic conditions in this book, many neurosurgeons will probably dispute some of the conclusions about timing of treatment of spinal lipomas and approaches to the treatment of syringomyelia, for example. In general, the author has very short discussions about these
mittee, headed by Robert H. Wilkins, is a prime example of the manner in which this committee has planned the presentation before asking the various contributors from North America to present their subjects. Each subject is planned in order, and the chapters are well illustrated, as each one of the authors is experienced in the field and has adequate, or more than adequate, clinical material to illustrate whatever points are to be made. The entire book is well printed and well illustrated, with an excellent up-to-date bibliography. It would be superfluous to point out the numerous outstanding examples, since anyone who is interested in this subject (and this should include all neurosurgeons) will want to own this book and will want to read various portions at intervals when specifically faced with the subject well covered in this volume. The volume begins with the study of vascular malformations, the pathology and grading, natural history of cavernous malformations, clinical presentations, and imaging. There is an excellent discussion of various diagnostic measures, blood flow studies, and operative management, and the operative techniques sections are well done. There is a good discussion of complications of surgical resection of arteriovenous malformations. One should not fail to read the excellent preface by Dr. Barrow, the editor who planned this volume, and "Clinical Decision Making in Management of Intracranial Vascular Malformations," by Eugene Flamm, M.D., from Philadelphia, who has obviously been a part of the planning process and has read the volume. He gives a conservative approach toward all modern techniques, giving each one adequate attention and expressing his own preference for the ways in which some of these lesions are treated. It would be difficult to praise this book more than the editor has already praised it in this review, but it is recommended that all neurosurgeons own this book. EBEN ALEXANDER, JR., M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Textbook of Neuropathology, Second Edition. E d i t e d by R i c h a r d L. Davis and D a v i d M. R o b e r t s o n . 1155 pages. B a l t i m o r e : W i l l i a m s & W i l k i n s , 1991. The second edition of Davis and Robertson's Textbook of Neuropathology is a comprehensive volume that generally follows the organization of the original 1985 edition. The complete spectrum of non-neoplastic diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve is discussed in detail. Most chapters begin with general introductions (part pathophysiology, part editorial) that put the subsequent details about individual diseases into an overall perspective. The first four chapters on the normal histology and ultrastructure of the nervous system are particularly well done and are elegantly illustrated. The electron micrographs are superb. The chapters on congenital malformations and perinatal pathology begin with useful discussions on how to examine and/or dissect postmortem brain specimens in these categories. These are particularly designed for residents and general pathologists, but they are also useful to those neuropathologists
Surg Neurol 1991;36:71-6
73
who see relatively few pediatric cases. The normal development of the nervous system, as it applies to pediatric neuropathology, is described in some detail; this gives the reader a framework for evaluating the normality of fetuses and preterm infants. The final chapter in the book is a new one on peripheral nerve pathology. This chapter is well written, reasonably comprehensive, and could easily substitute for many of the smaller textbooks on the subject. An overall strength of the book is the extensive list of primary references at the end of each chapter. By necessity, the references include many older, "classic" citations, but more recent articles are included as appropriate. The only general deficiency noted was the uneven quality of the photographs of gross specimens. While some were of high quality, others detracted from the text. In summary, this text organizes an enormous amount of detail into a volume that is relatively easy to ready. It can be recommended with confidence to a wide audience, including residents and attending physicians in pathology, neurology, and neurosurgery. BARBARA J. CRAIN, M.D., Ph.D. Durham, North Carolina
S p i n a l T u m o r s in C h i l d r e n a n d A d o l e s c e n t s . E d i t e d by Ignacio P a s c u a l - C a s t r o v i e j o . 296 pages. $108.00. Raven: N e w Y o r k . It will surprise some potential readers that a volume on spinal tumors would be largely produced by a neurologist rather than a neurosurgeon. Nevertheless, the e d i t o r - - a n d author of three quarters of the chapters of this b o o k - - i s an eminent pediatric neurologist in Madrid, who clearly has extensive experience with children so afflicted and has produced a lively and useful volume on this subject. Pascual-Castroviejo has written chapters about specific tumors arising from gila, meninges and roots, neural crest, cartilage, bone and soft tissues, as well as vascular lesions, inflammatory lesions, and congenital malformations. Chapters by other contributors discuss the radiation therapy of spinal tumors, neuroimaging, and neuropathology. Except for one major chapter by Dr. Fred Epstein on the subject of intramedullary spinal cord tumors, there is virtually no discussion of surgical technique in the book. Important issues, such as the question of spinal stability in growing children after tumor resection, are never considered. The book would be improved if it were seasoned with other chapters with practical operative advice. An interesting issue that comes up in discussion of pediatric spinal tumors is the relationship between neoplastic disease and congenital anomalies. The discussion of the epidemiology of spinal cord tumors in children in the first chapter makes it clear that this is a problem in comparing various series. While it may be reasonable to discuss these non-neoplastic conditions in this book, many neurosurgeons will probably dispute some of the conclusions about timing of treatment of spinal lipomas and approaches to the treatment of syringomyelia, for example. In general, the author has very short discussions about these