comprehensive neurology edited by roger n. rosenberg, md new york, raven press, 1991 936 pp,...

BOOKS

Pediatric Neurology, ed 2 Edited by Edward M. Brett New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1991 895 pp, illustrated, $135 .OO

Divided into 27 concise chapters, this text of pediatric neu- rology could be easily read during a house officer rotation on the child neurology service. Although there are multiple contributors, more than half of the chapters are authored or coauthored by the editor, and his writing style is a major strength of the work. From this perspective it is a good addi- tion to the more detailed texts in the field and the shorter data-rich house officer handbooks.

Physicians outside of Britain will find that many of the drug recommendations are not applicable to their practice. In addition, I found it strange that some unproven therapies, such as administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone for infantile spasms, were advocated for wider use rather than for further study.

Many CT images are illustrated throughout the text and the imaging chapter is new for this edition. Unfortunately, the reproductions are of poor quality so that a number of described lesions are not visible. Although the importance of MR imaging is acknowledged in the preface to the book and the introduction to the imaging chapter, MR images were rarely used even to illustrate leukodystrophies and minor anomalies where this technique makes the difference in ap- preciating an abnormality. References to the literature were limited compared to other texts and I found no references after 1989 and few between 1984 and 1988. Because of these shortcomings and the high cost of the book, I cannot recommend it as a first choice for the field. For example, the latest edition of Menkes’ Textbook of Child Neurology, al- though a year older, has many more recent references, better reproductions of CT and MR images, and costs one third less.

Gavy W. Goldstein, M D

Comprehensive Neurology Edited by Roger N . Rosenberg, MD New York, Raven Press, 1991 936 pp, ilbstrated, $220

Roger Rosenberg is one of my best friends. He has edited a textbook of neurology; so have I. Arthur Asbury, editor of Annals, is also a personal friend and textbook editor. We are amicable competitors. This review is limited to 200 words. Can I be objective?

Rosenberg is a prodigious editor. His high-quality produc- tions flow almost annually. Now he probes new territory, a question of numbers. Neurology texts come in many sizes; sales are inversely related to heft because price is determined by words, weight, and cover.

The most popular books are small and flexible enough for a medical student to carry on rounds. House officers keep theirs at bedside; experienced neurologists, the office. They use a larger book with hard cover, the standard size. The extreme is the Handbook, nearing 60 volumes. Publishers are now exploring the size-gap; two-volume and 5-volume texts have appeared. Rosenberg now provides an excellent cast of 5 1 authorities for an oversized single volume, larger than the standards (and thrice as expensive). Will it succeed? I hope so (but not at the expense of Mevritt’s). How will the large texts fare against Medline and review articles? Time will tell.

h i s P. Rowland, M D

Brain Fluids and Metabolism By Gary A. Rosenberg New York, Oxford University Press, 1990 207 pp, illustrated, $39.95

This concise monograph is based on a series of lectures given by Dr Rosenberg to medical students and housestaff dealing with brain fluids and metabolism. It includes discussions of the physiology of the cerebrospinal fluid, the biochemistry and pathophysiology of brain edema, the theoretical bases of PET scanning, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as the application of radioisotopes to the study of brain metabolism. A very lucid chapter deals with the mathematics of transport, which helps demystify the assessment of blood-brain barrier perme- ability and the techniques used for measuring cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Summaries of the relevant literature are included as well as thoughtful figures and tables. The book is not intended for the investigator but rather as an introduction for the interested clinician reader. The book is recommended for residents and others interested in an overview of these fundamental issues which are relevant to the understanding of the pathophysiology of many diseases of the nervous system and the imaging techniques used in clinical practice.

Robert A. Fishman, M D

Copyright 0 1992 by the American Neurological Association 413