Neuromuscular Diseases.

Neuromuscular Diseases The authors, a neurologist and a physical therapist, state that they wrote this book to "present a predominantly clinical and practical survey of the most important neuromuscular diseases." Their intended audience is "everybody" who works with patients who have neuromuscular disease. In this group they include a variety of physicians and "physiotherapists and other exercise therapists, who are often intensely involved with patients for long periods of time."

The book contains 27 chapters, all but 5 of which are directed at neuromuscular diseases as diverse as spinal muscular atrophies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia grari, and glycogen storage diseases. Given the book's limited length and the breadth of its content, little detail is possible for specific diseases. Nevertheless, "complaints presented by the patient and the signs that can be observed during physical examination" are covered adequately. The manner in which the authors cover such information is one that the clinician can appreciate. For example, in the chapter on testing muscle function, the authors state, "It is important to ask oneself whether there is real (pseudo) hypertrophy of a particular muscle or whether the muscle concerned only appears more developed because the other muscles are wasted." References to support the book's content are lacking, although a bibliography of 16 books is provided at the end. Tables and illustrations are used effectively to supplement the text.

Although an expert in the area of neuromuscular diseases may find it superficial, students and physical therapists with a limited exposure to patients who have neuromuscular disease probably will find the book to be a useful reference. I personally would purchase the book if I did not already have it.