Fundamentals of Neurology: An Illustrated Guide

American Journal of Neuroradiology

Mark Mumenthaler, Henrich Mattle, Ethan Taub, eds. New York: Thieme; 2006, 304 pages, 396 illustrations, $59.95.

In a 304-page softcover book, Drs. Mumenthaler, Mattle, and Taub describe key topics in neurology. The first 80 pages of the book deal with the fundamentals of neurology, neurologic examination, ancillary tests, and differential diagnosis in neurologic syndromes. The remainder of the book is devoted to specific diseases according to location and/or disease entity. Although this book is said to be aimed at the medical student, those in radiology who deal daily with their neurology colleagues may find this to be a useful reference. Presented in a highly readable format, the essentials of neurology are supplemented with extensive tabular material, highlighted fundamentals, appropriate imaging, and pictures of pertinent patients.

What would appeal most to trainees in neuroradiology and to those engaged in a large-volume neuroradiology practice are the sections on diseases of the cranial nerves, particularly where there are reviews of oculomotor disturbances, diagrams of the segmental lesions of the facial nerve, and abnormalities of hearing and balance. The descriptions of epilepsy, where there is a brief overview of seizure types and electroencephalogram findings, and sections of the book where there are descriptions of motor and sensory dysfunctions are good reviews. The various eye findings and descriptions of disturbance in oculomotor function, papillary mobility, and supranuclear abnormalities are particularly well done.

The format of the book is very pleasing with excellent drawings, crisp charts, and easy-to-read summary charts. Although clearly not intended to be a challenge to formidable multivolume texts such as Neurology in Clinical Practice by Bradley, Daroff, Fenichel, and Jarkovic, this short text provides an excellent synopsis for those wanting a review of neurology.