Textbook of Peripheral Neuropathy edited by DonofrioPeter D., 486 pp., Demos Medical, 2012, $125

Abstract

edited by Peter D. Donofrio, 486 pp., Demos Medical, 2012, $125 Peripheral neuropathy is a common but underappreciated neurologic condition. Approximately 2%–7% of the US population and 24% over age 70 years are estimated to have neuropathy. Focal neuropathy is more common. However, neuropathy awareness lags behind other common neurologic conditions. Likewise, useful and authoritative physician tools are underrepresented in the medical literature, including neuropathy sections of general textbooks of neurology. Pocket books typically oversimplify and exhaustive tomes dedicated to neuropathy are out of reach and impractical for most practitioners and trainees. Textbook of Peripheral Neuropathy offers a manageable and affordable reference targeted for practicing neurologists and non-neurologists, fellows, and residents. At 475 pages, the book is detailed enough for the purpose but not onerous for topical review. The book includes a useful introduction by the editor focusing on the clinical approach to neuropathy patients. The work includes sections on mononeuropathies, plexopathies, ganglionopathies, radiculopathies, cranial neuropathies, mononeuropathy multiplex, and autonomic neuropathies. However, the bulk of the content is devoted to reviews of multiple categories of polyneuropathy organized by cause. Individual contributions are offered by highly respected authorities in the field. Tables that highlight etiology, clinical patterns, classification schemes, and treatment options permeate the work. A respectable number of figures, charts, and color micrographs are included. Most sections have clearly marked clinical pearls, topic summaries, and key points. Many anatomical diagrams are present. Little space is devoted to pathophysiology or scientific basis of disease but these topics are not the intended focus. Sections are generally up to date and include current consensus regarding diagnosis and treatment. Criteria important for clinical diagnosis and care are evident, such as comparison of the multiple chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy clinical and research diagnostic criteria sensitivities and specificities. Some sections have duplicate tables but without notable contradictions. The same conditions are also addressed by different authors, including paraneoplastic conditions, monoclonal gammopathies, vasculitis, toxic neuropathy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but the redundant discussions are complementary in most instances. Sections on neuropathy complicating medical conditions are potentially useful for non-neurologists and practitioners needing to research a specific condition. A section addressing the utility of numerous individual laboratory tests employed to diagnose polyneuropathy should be particularly instructive for the target audience. Overall, the work is a welcome addition and fills an important niche. The presentation level, readability, and abundant educational aids are well suited for the intended audience. Hopefully, this work will help promote further insight into the significance, prevalence, clinical approach, and management of neuropathic conditions.