An ocean in a nutshell

Abstract

Editing and compiling a neurology textbook is a huge task, particularly when it is the 12th edition of one of the most famous textbooks in neurology. The editor and authors of Brain's Diseases of the Nervous System have done a wonderful job. The book starts with a preface to the first edition, which was written by W Russell Brain in 1933, and benchmarks the tremendous progress in neurology over the past 75 years.The target readership of this book includes clinical neurologists and trainees in clinical neurology. The chapter on the short history of neurology is particularly interesting, showcasing the origin and growth of the neurological sciences over the past two centuries. The part dedicated to neurological rehabilitation provides useful coverage of the philosophy, evidence, and rehabilitation in specific neurological diseases. The discussion of developmental neurology could be beneficial for clinicians with paediatric patients, and the chapter on neurometabolic disorders gives a concise overview of common disorders, with useful tables. There follows a detailed and clinically relevant overview of sensory disorders, and the section on pain is brief but relevant for clinicians and family physicians.The discussion of nerve and muscle diseases covers neuropathy very well, but the chapter on neuromuscular disease warrants more information and discussion, particularly for myasthenia gravis. The section on structural diseases usefully covers the whole neural axis, and the chapter on tumours of the brain and skull provides a good introduction to a classification system, but gives little insight into treatment, long-term management, and prognosis. The chapters on cerebrovascular diseases, tremor, ataxia, and cerebellar disorders provide concise and complete information for trainee neurologists. Seizures and epilepsy are thoroughly explored. Because of the growing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, however, the review of dementias mandates more detailed information. Finally, the section on neurological infections is excellent and practical for neurologists practising in Asia and Africa, where the burden of malaria, tuberculosis, tetanus, and rabies is still high.The discussion of the management of common diseases falls short of highlighting alternative treatment options and ongoing trials. I would also suggest that nutritional disorders should be included in a future edition. Nevertheless, overall, this book is a useful quick reference for clinical neurologists and is an essential textbook for trainees in clinical neurology. Editing and compiling a neurology textbook is a huge task, particularly when it is the 12th edition of one of the most famous textbooks in neurology. The editor and authors of Brain's Diseases of the Nervous System have done a wonderful job. The book starts with a preface to the first edition, which was written by W Russell Brain in 1933, and benchmarks the tremendous progress in neurology over the past 75 years. The target readership of this book includes clinical neurologists and trainees in clinical neurology. The chapter on the short history of neurology is particularly interesting, showcasing the origin and growth of the neurological sciences over the past two centuries. The part dedicated to neurological rehabilitation provides useful coverage of the philosophy, evidence, and rehabilitation in specific neurological diseases. The discussion of developmental neurology could be beneficial for clinicians with paediatric patients, and the chapter on neurometabolic disorders gives a concise overview of common disorders, with useful tables. There follows a detailed and clinically relevant overview of sensory disorders, and the section on pain is brief but relevant for clinicians and family physicians. The discussion of nerve and muscle diseases covers neuropathy very well, but the chapter on neuromuscular disease warrants more information and discussion, particularly for myasthenia gravis. The section on structural diseases usefully covers the whole neural axis, and the chapter on tumours of the brain and skull provides a good introduction to a classification system, but gives little insight into treatment, long-term management, and prognosis. The chapters on cerebrovascular diseases, tremor, ataxia, and cerebellar disorders provide concise and complete information for trainee neurologists. Seizures and epilepsy are thoroughly explored. Because of the growing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, however, the review of dementias mandates more detailed information. Finally, the section on neurological infections is excellent and practical for neurologists practising in Asia and Africa, where the burden of malaria, tuberculosis, tetanus, and rabies is still high. The discussion of the management of common diseases falls short of highlighting alternative treatment options and ongoing trials. I would also suggest that nutritional disorders should be included in a future edition. Nevertheless, overall, this book is a useful quick reference for clinical neurologists and is an essential textbook for trainees in clinical neurology.