The Epilepsies: Seizures, Syndromes and Management
http://www.100md.com
《新英格兰医药杂志》
A Medline search for "epilepsy syndrome" reveals that more than 1600 review articles about these syndromes have appeared since 1965. The classification system of the International League against Epilepsy that defines approximately 40 of the syndromes is detailed and occasionally changes. Moreover, the complexity of the field has increased in the era of genomics, even for practicing neurologists and epileptologists, and there are new laboratory tests to confirm a diagnosis suspected on the basis of the history and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings.
Panayiotopoulos has written one of the most comprehensive textbooks to be found on the subject of epilepsy. The book should be retitled "The Epilepsy Syndromes and Their Diagnosis," however, to indicate more clearly its major strength and its value to the field. The investment of time and energy by the author in this book of more than 500 pages is admirable. Fourteen detailed chapters include superb examples of EEGs, well-organized tables, and as many as 400 up-to-date references. Most textbooks on epilepsy show EEGs in an atlas format or contain primarily descriptions of the syndromes; this book provides both features equally well. In addition, a CD-ROM is included that contains more than 30 videos of seizures, although the EEGs are occasionally small and difficult to see, even on a high-resolution monitor.
As stated in the author's preface, this book is designed as a "reference for neurologists, clinical neurophysiologists and epileptologists." It succeeds in meeting this goal, offering a table of contents that is easy to follow, listing each syndrome, as well as a detailed index. Pediatric neurologists in particular will probably benefit from the book, because of its strong emphasis on the epilepsy syndromes of childhood, including the early-onset benign childhood occipital seizure syndrome named for the author.
Single-authored textbooks such as this one offer the strength of a cohesive approach but also have some disadvantages. Most other textbooks on epilepsy today are multiauthored, allowing for a variety of expertise on specific aspects of this complicated disorder. The limitation of a single author is perhaps most evident in a chapter on anticonvulsant therapies, which is based on both practice guidelines and the author's own opinions and recommendations.
The eight thorough chapters on the epilepsy syndromes are the highlight of the book, and they make it a worthwhile addition to the collection of any neurologist who treats patients with epilepsy, especially children with this disorder. As the 21st century progresses, and as these syndromes become more important targets for drug development, genetic testing, and advances in neuroimaging, textbooks such as this one will also become increasingly valuable as references.
Eric H. Kossoff, M.D.
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Baltimore, MD 21287
ekossoff@jhmi.edu(By C.P. Panayiotopoulos. )
Panayiotopoulos has written one of the most comprehensive textbooks to be found on the subject of epilepsy. The book should be retitled "The Epilepsy Syndromes and Their Diagnosis," however, to indicate more clearly its major strength and its value to the field. The investment of time and energy by the author in this book of more than 500 pages is admirable. Fourteen detailed chapters include superb examples of EEGs, well-organized tables, and as many as 400 up-to-date references. Most textbooks on epilepsy show EEGs in an atlas format or contain primarily descriptions of the syndromes; this book provides both features equally well. In addition, a CD-ROM is included that contains more than 30 videos of seizures, although the EEGs are occasionally small and difficult to see, even on a high-resolution monitor.
As stated in the author's preface, this book is designed as a "reference for neurologists, clinical neurophysiologists and epileptologists." It succeeds in meeting this goal, offering a table of contents that is easy to follow, listing each syndrome, as well as a detailed index. Pediatric neurologists in particular will probably benefit from the book, because of its strong emphasis on the epilepsy syndromes of childhood, including the early-onset benign childhood occipital seizure syndrome named for the author.
Single-authored textbooks such as this one offer the strength of a cohesive approach but also have some disadvantages. Most other textbooks on epilepsy today are multiauthored, allowing for a variety of expertise on specific aspects of this complicated disorder. The limitation of a single author is perhaps most evident in a chapter on anticonvulsant therapies, which is based on both practice guidelines and the author's own opinions and recommendations.
The eight thorough chapters on the epilepsy syndromes are the highlight of the book, and they make it a worthwhile addition to the collection of any neurologist who treats patients with epilepsy, especially children with this disorder. As the 21st century progresses, and as these syndromes become more important targets for drug development, genetic testing, and advances in neuroimaging, textbooks such as this one will also become increasingly valuable as references.
Eric H. Kossoff, M.D.
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Baltimore, MD 21287
ekossoff@jhmi.edu(By C.P. Panayiotopoulos. )