Principles of Neurology: Companion Handbook, 4th ed.

As a "companion handbook," this text is intended to serve as a convenient and portable summary of the contents of the larger volume by the same authors, entitled Principles of Neurology. In concert with this purpose, the authors present information that will assist the clinician in establishing a diagnosis based on physiological, anatomical, and etiological information, as well as provide the appropriate medical approach to the treatment of various categories of neurological diseases. All chapters are referenced to Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology for more detail, as well as for providing suggestions for additional readings in other sources.

The content is divided into six major sections. The first section summarizes the process for conducting a neurological examination and provides succinct descriptions of the special techniques (such as computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and electroencepha1ography) utilized in establishing a neurological diagnosis. The major portion of the text is contained in section 2, which presents chapters on the manifestations of neurological diseases. This information is divided into six subsections: disorders of motility; pain and other disorders of somatic sensation, headache, and backache; disorders of the special senses; epilepsy and disorders of consciousness; derangements of intellect, behavior, and language attributed to diffuse and focal cerebral disease; and anxiety and disorders of energy, mood, emotion, and autonomic functions.

The growth, development, and aging of the nervous system is reviewed in section 3. The brevity and generality of this section make it the weakest component of the handbook.

Section 4, the second largest section of the text, describes the major categories of neurological disease, such as intracranial neoplasms, viral and nonviral infections, cerebrovascular diseases, and degeneratire diseases. The selection of the categories within section 4 seems appropriate for the intent of the text. Diseases of the peripheral nerves and muscles are covered in section 5, whereas the final section deals with psychiatric disorders.

Most chapters include tables, charts, and diagrams to further summarize the information. As the authors have identified medical students and residents as the target audience for this text, it is assumed that the reader has a detailed knowledge of medical terminology. For the reader with the appropriate background, the authors' style is interesting and readable.

This handbook could provide physical therapists with summary information on the medical aspects of unfamiliar neurological diagnoses. The price and format may make it an attractive alternative to hardback, comprehensive volumes on neurology. Although entry-level students might be challenged by the advanced terminology, the handbook should be considered as a support to curricular content on neurological disorders.

Rebecca E Porter, PhD, PT Indiana University Indianapolis, Ind