Clinical Neurology, 3rd edition

Clinical Neurology, 3rd edition

edited by Timothy J. Fowler and John W. Scadding, 544 pp., Oxford University Press, 2003, $49.95

This book is a remarkably broad yet concise text from which to learn and review clinical neurology. The stated goal of the authors is to “help in the education of medical students, junior doctors” as well as those preparing for board examinations and “physicians of all specialties.” They have without question met this goal. In particular, the book is a wonderful primary text for medical students confronting clinical neurology for the first time or for junior residents developing and refining their approach. Specialists in other fields who wish to refresh or expand their neurology foundation would also find the book to be an excellent reference.

The nearly 600-page text is written by a team of London-based physicians. It is well organized, clearly written, and supplemented with frequent tables and high-quality images and illustrations. The first several chapters outline a general approach to common neurologic issues. They address the fundamentals of physical examination, frequently encountered neurologic symptoms, diagnostic tests, and current imaging modalities. These first chapters may be the most useful for a medical student exposed to neurology for the first time, and any medical student or resident might benefit greatly from careful reading of these chapters before beginning a neurology rotation.

The subsequent chapters are organized by neurologic disorder. Chapters on neuropathy, neuromuscular disease, nerve and spinal disease, movement disorder, headache, epilepsy, dementia, head injury, multiple sclerosis, pediatric neurology, ataxia, elevated intracranial pressure, infection, and cerebrovascular disease are included and have been updated since publication of the previous edition. Chapters on the interface between neurology and both general medicine and psychiatry as well as a chapter on neurorehabilitation are especially helpful in understanding important neurologic aspects of diseases managed by nonneurologists. In addition, new chapters are presented on neurogenetics, neurointensive care, and pain. Though the styles vary, most chapters begin with a discussion of disease epidemiology and the current understanding of pathophysiology before proceeding through disease presentation, diagnosis, and limited discussion of basic management. Nearly all major topics within neurology are covered in reasonable depth, though the neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-oncology, and behavioral neurology content is quite limited.

In conclusion, this text provides an excellent overview of neurology best suited for the medical student interested in neurology, or a junior resident. It is also appropriate for specialists in neurology or other fields who wish to have an accessible and broad text on neurology to which they can easily refer.