been used to study asymmetries of hemispheric function. These include studies of split-brained subjects and studies of normal subjects using perceptual asymmetries (e.g., dichotic listening and visual half field), response asymmetries, physio- logical recordings (electroencephalographic and evoked po- tential), and, most recently, functional imaging (e.g., single photon emission computed tomography and magnetic reso- nance imaging). The book Wemirpheric Ajymmety reviews many of these advances. This book is well organized, and each chapter deals with a different topic, including behavioral asymmetries, component processes, biological asymmetries (both anatomical and pharmacological), asymmetries in ani- mals, individual differences, development, and evolution.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to review this vast literature in less than 400 pages of text, and Professor Hellige focuses most on those studies that involve split-brain patients and normal subjects undergoing testing for perceptual asymme- tries. Although there are no important new hypotheses put forward by the author, overall, this is an excellent summary of a vast literature.

This book is clearly written and easy to read. I would recommend this book for those who have a strong interest in brain behavior relationships.

Keririeth 121. Heilrnan, M D GaineJville. F L

Neurological and Neurosurgical Intensive Care, ed 3 Edited b.j A. H . Roper firnu York, Raven Prers. I992 505 pp. illustrated. $99.00

The third edition of this volume is a multiauthored text con- taining 34 chapters that span t h e range from the bread-and- butter problems of intracranial pressure monitoring and man- agement to complex intensive care unit (ICUj issues of myasthenia and Guillain-Barre. The initial chapters review the basics of intracranial pressure (ICP) management for “neuro-intensivists.” The material is straightforward in pre- sentation, although there seems little new in the field. The chapters on ICP monitoring devices and airway management are highly technical, the latter chapter ending with an appen- dix providing the reader with the derivation of major respira- tory formulae used in the ICU. The chapter on electrophysi- ological monitoring is detailed and quite up-to-date. A useful discussion of the effect of sepsis on the central and peripheral nervous system is included in the section on neurological complications of critical care illnesses. The lengthy discussion of the management of head injury is quite complete but has substantial overlap with earlier chapters on intracranial hyper- tension.

A series of chapters dealing with stroke begin with an interesting experiential discussion by C. Miller Fisher. Chap- ters on therapy for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke follow. Neuroprotective agents get surprisingly brief review, how- ever.

A rather unique chapter is that discussing the postopera- tive care of patients with intracranial tumors. A number of interesting points from the experience at the Memorial Sloan Kettering are found herein, including a discussion of the role of plateau waves in the symptomatology of brain tumors. The

section on status epilepticus is excellent (the best review for some time). A long paragraph describes the role of p H in the partitioning of phenobarbital into the brain during status, an important and under-appreciated area. The chapter on encephalitis is also especially complete, reviewing viral agents (including human immunodeficiency virus) in detail, as well as Lyme disease. The discussion of spinal cord compression includes a description of each cervical fracture-dislocation syndrome, information that is difficult to find in a single place.

The volume concludes with a discussion of brain death and legal aspects of intensive care. The latter chapter provides original case law upon which decisions are based.

Although the book will be valuable to neurologists work- ing in the field, and those only occasionally entering the in- tensive care unit, my copy had a number of blank pages and several missing lines of text missed by the proofreaders. One might flip through the pages before taking a copy home.

Roger P. Simon. MD San Francaco. CA

Behavioral Neurology: 100 Maxims. 100 Maxims i n Neurology, vol 1 By Orrzn Dewnsky St Loui~. Mo3 by-Year Book, I992 384 pp9 illzlstrated

This volume is the first of a proposed series with a novel and interesting format in which 100 common problems in a particular subspecialty area of neurology are discussed. The format allows presentation of carefully selected material cov- ering a number of disorders in the subspecialty. For the neu- rologist whose practice is general o r whose subspecialty is in a different area, the volumes in this series will provide a large amount of didactically presented material in a readily available form. In particular, current aspects of treatment can be presented well in this manner. Volume 1 discusses com- mon problems in behavioral neurology (similar volumes con- cerning Parkinson’s disease and stroke are in preparation).

The format has problems, however, and the volume on behavioral neurology by Devinsky illustrates some of the difficulties. The author has done a fine job of selecting 100 problem areas in behavioral neurology, has presented inter- esting, fact-filled abridgments of these problems and has in- cluded pertinent bibliography for each of the 100 problem areas. Unfortunately, many of the subjects selected for dis- cussion are controversial. Some of the statements presented as fact are not accepted by many neurologists; many other assertions could be considered controversial. The didactic nature of the presentation is excellent for teaching purposes but has the disadvantage of solidifying misinformation.

Despite this strong caveat (a fault of the format, not of the presentation), this volume is a veritable gold mine of easily digested information. It would be a valuable addition to the library of most practicing neurologists (and many psychia- trists and psychologists), who can benefit from the clear pre- sentations and disregard the controversial aspects.

V. Frank Benson. M D LoJ Ang-eles, CA

128 Annals of Neurology Vol 35 No 1 January 1994