December 2007 Vol 8 After Meeting.indd Harrison’s Neurology in Clinical Medicine SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL JOURNAL DECEMBER 2007 VOL 7, NO. 3, P. 277-278 SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY© SUBMITTED - 31ST JULY 2007 Different chapters of this book have different authors who are experts in their fields. The book is edited by; Stephen L Hauser, MD; Robert A Fishman Distin- guished Professor and Chairman, Department of Neu- rology, University of California, San Francisco, USA. Associate Editors, all from the same department as the Editor, are: Scott Andrew Josephson, MD, Neurovascu- lar and Behavioral Neurology Fellow; Joey D English, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor; John W Engstrom, MD, Professor and Vice-Chairman Patients with neurological disorders are common in day to day clinical practice. Most of these patients ini- tially present to non-neurologists. Mastering clinical skills and examination is essential in order to localise the most probable neuroanatomical site of the patient’s problem. This will enable the physician to order a fo- cused investigation and request appropriate consulta- tions. However, exposure to patients with neurological disorders is limited during training due to various rea- sons. This book is therefore written to serve non-neu- rologist who are expected to encounter patients with neurological problems on a day to day basis. This paperback book has 368 pages. It is divided into seven sections, which contain a total of 43 chap- ters. In addition, there is an appendix, review and self- assessment section, and an index. The seven sections are as follows: 1. Introduction to Neurology This section deals with pathogenesis and approaches to patients with various neurological diseases. In addition, it gives a brief introduction to neuroimaging in neurological disorders. 2. Clinical Manifestations of Neurological Diseases This section presents in detail 10 common neuro- logical presentations. Examples include pain, head- ache, vertigo, change in mental state, imbalance and sleep disorders. 3. Diseases of the Central Nervous System This section contains 19 chapters which cover various central nervous system disorders in detail with up to date information. Examples of chapters include: Seizures and Epilepsy, Cerebrovascular Diseases, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s dis- ease, Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Ataxic Disorders and Multiple Sclero- B O O K R E V I E W في الطب السريري األعصاب هاريسن لعلم كتاب هوسر ال. احملرر: ستيفن جون اجنستروم ، اجنليش د. جويي ، جوزيفسن اندرو �احملررون املشاركون: سكوت العاصمي اهللا مراجعة: عبد Editor: Stephen L Hauser Associate Editors: Scott A Josephson, Joey D English, John W Engstrom Publisher: McGraw Hill, 2006. ISBN: 0-07-145745-3 Available at: http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0071457453.html Stockist in Oman: Al-Manahil Educational Consultancy, PO Box 552, PC 116, Muscat Tel: 00968 24487707/ Fax: 00968 24485757 Reviewer: *Abdullah Al-Asmi *Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P. O. Box 35, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Email: alasm@squ.edu.om B O O K R E V I E W : H A R R I S O N ’ S N E U R O L O G Y I N C L I N I C A L M E D I C I N E 278 sis. In addition, central nervous system infections have also been covered like meningitis, encephali- tis, brain abscesses, and empyema, HIV in relation to neurology, and prion diseases. 4. Diseases of Nerve and Muscle There are seven chapters covering most common diseases of the neuromuscular disorders. The section starts with an approach to patients with peripheral neuropa- thy. Inherited neuropathies, Guillain-Barré Syn- drome, and myasthenia gravis are discussed in de- tail. One chapter is devoted to an approach to the patient with muscle disease followed by a discus- sion on common inherited and acquired muscular disorders. 5. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome This section is devot- ed to discussing fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. This syndrome is at times challeng- ing to diagnose and manage, usually requiring a multidisciplinary approach. 6. Psychiatric Disorders This sections, which con- tains a single chapter, discusses common mental disorders. 7. Alcoholism and Drug Dependence This section has two chapters, one on alcohol and alcoholism and the other on cocaine, opioids and other com- monly abused drugs. This book is intended for students, residents, primary care physicians and internists. The content of this book is presented in a very simple and concise way. It has many colourful illustra- tions. Detailed neuroanatomical pathways are nicely illustrated. In addition, some chapters contain flow- charts to assist readers in taking medical decisions. This book, as mentioned earlier, is intended for non-neurologists who encounter patients with neuro- logical disorders. It is nicely written and fulfills this re- quirement being well organized and easy to read with many illustrations. The book starts by describing the common manifestations and presentations of neuro- logical diseases based on different symptoms and syn- dromes. Thereafter, detailed manifestations and the management of various neurological diseases are pre- sented, divided into central nervous system diseases and those of the peripheral nervous system, as well as common neurological manifestation of psychiatry and drug abuse. The text is supplemented by excellent il- lustrations and diagrams. Section one in the book gives an overview of the pathogenesis of neurological disorders with an excel- lent concise review of basic neuroscience, relevant to clinical practice. The second chapter details the ap- proach to the patient with neurological disease and highlights the importance of neuroanatomical lo- calisation. The chapters on specific diseases cover the disorders under discussion in detail including causes, basic mechanism, evaluation, differential diagnosis, laboratory studies and management. The chapter on mental illnesses presents common psychiatric disorders and their management. This chapter is enriched with many tables listing common drugs used to manage these disorders and their poten- tial side effects. At the end of every chapter, references are provided for further reading. The book covers the most common neurological manifestations as well as specific diseases in an up to date manner, which is required by the intended read- ers of the book. The book has more than 100 full col- our drawings as well as clinical and laboratory images, which enhance the readability and understanding of the subject under discussion. The availability of an electronic version of the book would be useful for readers for quick access and mak- ing use of the contents, especially the illustrations, in various presentations.