Alleyne Jr CH, Woodall MN, Citow JS. Neurosurgery Board Review: Questions and Answers for Self-Assessment. 3rd ed. Thieme; 2016; 432 pp; 268 pp; $89.99

It is always of interest to see what residents or practicing clinicians in the neurosciences (neurosurgeons, neurologists, ENT surgeons) are expected to know for their primary board exams or for their recertifying examinations. This 432-page softcover book is written totally in a quiz format, just as one would expect to see on a computer-based test. It has innumerable questions divided into the following sections: Basic Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurology, Neuroanatomy, Neurology, Neuropathology, Neuroradiology, and Clinical Skills/Critical Care.

The 73 images chosen for the neuroradiology section are appropriate, but they are somewhat dated in appearance (old images); the imaging is straightforward, and the diagnoses are obvious. Points related to each image are succinctly made. In addition, there are 47 non-image-based questions related to neuroradiology, some of which are not particularly easy to answer.

All the sections have quizzes and short informational descriptions, which should be of interest to neuroradiologists. This is particularly true of the neuropathology section.

While few radiologists would want to purchase this book, it can be confidently recommended to trainees in neurosurgery. If they do purchase it, you will want to borrow the book for a couple of days and thumb through most of the quiz material.