PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY: A CASE-BASED REVIEW

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY: A CASE-BASED REVIEW edited by Tena Rosser, 336 pp., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007, $54.95

Learning clinical neurology is the crux of neurology residency training, and is best achieved using different modalities of learning, including case-based learning. Pediatric Neurology: A Case-Based Review is one of the few books of its kind in the growing field of child neurology. Written in a clear and well-organized, reader-friendly fashion, this book is a very easy and enjoyable read.

Sixty cases in child neurology are presented in a standard format. Most of the diagnoses are commonly seen in clinical practice, but important rare diagnoses are also included. After a case is presented, the diagnosis is revealed, and a discussion is presented for each case regarding localization, differential diagnosis, and comments on diagnosis and management. For self-learners, questions are posed to the reader at the end of most chapters. Although the cases are not presented in any particular disease-based order, they are referenced by category in an index after all of the cases are presented.

This book was originally written to serve as a study aid for those preparing for the oral boards. Although the oral boards are being phased out, this book is still a very useful resource. The format of the case-based presentations provides the book's authors an opportunity to convey to the reader their thought processes as they summarize, localize, and analyze every case. It is this insight into an experienced clinician's analytical thought processes that sets this book apart from other standard textbooks. The diversity of the types of cases is appropriate, highlighting a fair number of rare but important diagnoses, to complement those that are commonly seen in pediatric neurology practice. From a resident's standpoint, this book's readability is its greatest asset. One or two cases can be read in-between other commitments throughout the day, and this is one of the rare books that one can easily read “cover to cover.”

Unfortunately for those who are visual learners, there are no illustrations, but there are a few tables scattered throughout the book. Although not a comprehensive text, the most important points of each case are emphasized by the authors, and references are provided for further reading.

Overall, Pediatric Neurology: A Case-Based Review does a nice job of covering the broad spectrum of disease seen by the pediatric neurologist. The case-based format provides an easily readable format to gain knowledge about both the diseases themselves and a way of thinking about the approach to diagnosing and managing neurologic disorders. In short, the book is an excellent choice for anyone involved in the field of child neurology.