R MidhaE L Zager

(eds), 2008, Thieme Medical Publishers, New York, illus. ISBN 978-0-86577-860-3, 288pp.

Surgery of the peripheral nerves: a case-based approach is a valuable resource for the neurosurgeons who are interested in learning more about peripheral nerve surgery. This book is concentrated on cases of peripheral nerve lesions, and in every chapter the authors give specific anatomical details relevant to the presented case. A surgical approach to each of these cases is described, with illustrations at the end of each chapter. Some of the very rare peripheral lesions are also included with surgical details, for example, sarcoma of the sciatic nerves, brachial plexus tumor and some rare peripheral nerve entrapments like supratrochlear nerve palsy. The authors have also supplied additional information about some very common nerve entrapments, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment. In these common lesions, they have described failed ulnar nerve transpositions, failed ulnar nerve decompression, and recurrent or persistent symptoms after carpal tunnel release.

The book is divided into four main sections, including (1) brachial plexus injury and entrapments, (2) upper-extremity peripheral nerve injuries and entrapments, (3) lower-extremity peripheral nerve injuries and entrapments, and (4) nerve tumors, painful nerve conditions and miscellaneous injuries. All these sections are subdivided into 57 case-based chapters.

Every chapter starts with a case presentation followed by diagnosis and anatomical details. The characteristic clinical presentation and differential diagnosis of each peripheral nerve lesion is described, followed by diagnostic tests, including electrophysiological studies. Management options and surgical treatments are described for every lesion, including new surgical techniques such as endoscopic release. Outcomes and prognosis is the last part, but pearls and pitfalls for every nerve lesion are also described at the end of each chapter.

All necessary information is summarized by illustrations, tables, radiological images, patient photographs, surgical pictures and schematic drawings. This facilitates the reading and understanding of the various chapters. Although some pathological conditions are not illustrated in great detail in the surgical black and white photographs, and some drawings on the patients are not very clear, the references provide a start for the more interested reader.

In summary, this book is well written, current and provides valuable patient-care information. Overall, I would highly recommend Surgery of the peripheral nerves: a case-based approach to all neurosurgeons and any other healthcare personnel involved in the treatment of patients with peripheral nerve lesions.