Panayiotopoulos CP, ed. Atlas of Epilepsies, Vols. 1, 2, 3. Springer 2010, approximately 2000 pages each, 1400 illustrations each, $339.00 each.
Written primarily for neurologists with subspecialty interest in epilepsy, this 3-volume, 1910-page authoritative text encompasses all aspects of the clinical and evolving concepts in seizures and their treatment. There are 14 section editors in addition to Dr. Panayiotopoulos, who is the senior editor.
For those neuroradiologists who deal closely with surgeons and clinicians involved in epilepsy this could serve as a review and as a source document however the neuroimaging itself is disappointing and unfortunately scant. Take the chapter on MR—here there is no information on protocols or techniques. Missing is any material on DTI, tractography, diffusion parameters, or spectroscopy. The chapter rehashes well known aspects of common findings in routine imaging. Likewise the chapters on CT, FMR, and PET are unacceptably brief. Strangely, equal space is devoted to MEG (11 pages) as to MR. This seems a relatively disproportionate allocation of space since few Centers worldwide have access to MEG.
What would have potentially held the most interest for our readers are the chapters on surgery for epilepsy (38 pages), but here again these areas are too brief to be of lasting benefit.
With all of this said, it is apparent that the major audience for this book will be epileptologists since areas which do not deal with imaging and surgery contain detailed information. For those interested, the 3 volumes contain seventeen sections: Definitions/Classifications of Epilepsies, History, Epidemiology, Etiology/Pathology, Pathophysiology, Animal Models of Epilepsy/Epileptogenesis, Seizure Types, Status Epilepticus, Mimickers of Seizures, Clinical Investigations in Patients with Seizure, Syndrome (long section -386 pages), Progressive Myoclonic Seizures, Epilepsies in Specific Patient Groups, Management of Epilepsy with Drugs, Management of Epilepsy with Surgery and Alternate Therapeutic Options, A Pharmacopoeia of Drugs.
This reviewer believes that the 3-volume book would not hold much interest for neuroradiologists. However, our neurology colleagues should be made aware of the publication of this extensive text on epilepsy.
