Disorders of Peripheral Nerves, 2d ed.

This is the second edition of Disorders of Peripheral Nerves, a volume of a broader assembly of publications in FA Davis's "Contemporary Neurology Series." This new edition contains three additional chapters, including a section on rehabilitation in peripheral neuropathies. The text differentiates the peripheral nervous system from the central nervous system and addresses diagnosis and assessment of specific peripheral nervous system disorders. This book is written primarily for physicians, but the information would be valuable for physical therapists who treat patients who have peripheral nerve disorders.

The book is divided into eight parts. Part 1 describes die concept of the peripheral nervous system, as well as the classification and diagnosis of disorders of the peripheral nervous system. A diagnostic algorithm is presented that can be helpful in understanding the steps necessary in documenting peripheral nerve disorders. A concise and practical chapter on laboratory techniques that are used to investigate sensory and motor conduction is also provided in this section of the book.

The majority of the book, parts 2 through 7, consists of information about specific neuropathies. Each of the chapters in these sections provides current material on etiology or pathogenesis, clinical features, and differential diagnosis of various peripheral neuropathies. Treatment is also included with the discussion of certain disorders.

Part 2 includes a very good discussion about acute inflammatory demyelinating disease (Guillain-Barre syndrome) and further compares this disease with the chronic form of this specific neuropathy New to this edition is the consideration of peripheral neuropathies related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome and Lyme disease. Neuropathies associated with systemic disease, such as diabetic and other endocrine neuropathies, are addressed in part 3. Part 4 provides good information on inherited peripheral neuropathies. Part 5 addresses trauma-related neuropathy and provides very clear narration of the evaluation and discrimination of pertinent acute and chronic nerve lesions. Part 6 covers toxic neuropathies, and part 7 includes details about other, less-defined or rare neuropathies.

As mentioned earlier, a new addition to this book is a section concerning rehabilitation. Although management, including some mention of rehabilitation, is included with the various specific disorders, the section on rehabilitation (part 8) also provides emphasis on the importance of rehabilitative intervention for patients with peripheral nerve disorders. As with many texts of this type in which the major focus is on reviewing disorders, descriptions of rehabilitation are perfunctory and should not be expected to provide insight into new treatment methods. The inclusion of rehabilitative sections, however, is encouraging.

This text would be an excellent reference for a physical therapy clinical library; however, it does not provide physical therapists with new treatment ideas. The material is presented in an organized and readable fashion. This book provides additional details about peripheral nerve disorders that may be useful to the physical therapist in a clinical rehabilitative decision-making process.