Book Reviews : Tardive Dyskinesia. H. Haag, E. Ruther, H. Hippius. Hogrefe & Huber, Seattle, 1992, 128 pages

Abstract

There has long been a need for a manual that presents in clear and logical sequence the often-overlooked value of surgical procedures for amelioration of spasticity. The authors properly point to the dearth of physicians experienced or comfortable with such measures, despite the existence of such a large pool of potential surgical candidates. This includes more than 400,000 new cases of disability resulting from brain injury per year and some 2 million survivors of stroke in the United States.The manual was written primarily for orthopaedic surgeons with emphasis on surgical indications and techniques. However, it should rightfully be a most valuable companion to their non-surgical colleagues, particularly physiatrists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists. For without awareness of the proven benefits of surgery in well-chosen patients, too many of their patients will be denied needed access. Doctors Keenan, Kozin, and Berlet have, indeed, filled a capacious and unfortunate void in treatment.The surgical procedures have been divided into those that provide additional function, in both the arm and the leg, and those that are of value in reducing established contractures. Surgical techniques are described in short succinct paragraphs and are copiously illustrated with excellent drawings. The references are numerous and contemporary. Certainly the reader of this text should have a much clearer understanding of those components of spasticity that respond to surgical measures. This reviewer has been a vocal-at times, strident-advocate of surgery in patients with spastic paresis for some forty years and compliments the authors and their publisher for illuminating an area of clinical practice too long darkened by the apathy of ignorance about the role of peripheral surgical procedures in improving motor function. Study of Brain Edema held in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1987. Each chapter averages four pages in length, amounting to a series of long abstracts by well-known authorities summarizing one aspect of their research performed prior to 1987. The text provides the reader with research reports focused on aspects of ischemic, peritumoral, and traumatic brain edema emphasizing mechanisms, molecular basis of neural injury, and mediators of the edema process. Pharmacologic subjects such as postulated mechanisms of action for calcium channel blockers, glycerol, mannitol and dexamethasone are discussed. The volume includes numerous high quality, easy to understand figures that are provided in association with limited discussions of each subject. The main qualities of the volume are its diversity and the inclusion of many investigators throughout the world. Some but not all of the research communications have come out in print, yet the book remains a source of interesting observations of rarely cited work that should be a useful reference source for those investigators working in cerebral edema and related fields. This volume will appeal to a very limited readership and would be most useful in a departmental libr...