Practical Electromyography, 2d ed.

Practical Electromyography, ed 2 Edited by Johnson EW. Baltimore, MD 21202, Williams & Wilkins, 1988, cloth, 626 pp, illus, $62.50 The second edition of a book is always interesting to read after having reviewed the original edition several years before. I reviewed the table of contents of the first and second editions. The second edition table of contents has more relevance to the practice of clinical electromyography than the previous edition. Unlike in the first edition, the initial three chapters of the second edition review the conduct of the EMG examination and the normal motor unit. In addition, these chapters provide a lengthy discussion of the motor unit in disease. The subsequent chapters cover the electrophysiologic manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome and special testing techniques. In subsequent chapters, the advanced concepts of single-fiber EMG, centrally recorded evoked responses, computer applications, and instrumentation complete the book. in addition, there are two appendixes: a Glossary of Terms and a Practical Examination. The majority of the chapters are written in clear, concise language. The chapters that are rewritten include some new reference material, but they are not complete. Many references remain beyond the 10-year mark. The new chapters developed by the editor are often dogmatic without sufficient references. In fact, some references are missing or incomplete. The chapters on centrally evoked potentials and instrumentation are the high points of the book. There are weak inferences to the standardization of the motor-nerve terminology and technique, but this standardization is not achieved within the textual material of this book. Much work needs to be done in order to fully standardize neural conduction terminology and techniques. This book would be of benefit to the physical therapist who performs electrophysiologic evaluations routinely. The post-entry-level therapist may find this book too elementary.