Bernal-Sprekelsen M; Alobi I; Ensenat J; et al. Endoscopic Approaches to the Paranasal Sinuses and Skull Base: A Step-by-Step Anatomic Dissection Guide;Thieme 2017; 434 pp; 930 ill; $159.99.
In the textbook “Endoscopic Approaches to the Paranasal Sinuses and Skull Base,” the editors present an in depth reference text that covers all of the current concepts regarding endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses and skull base, including endoscopic anatomy and surgical landmarks, preoperative and postoperative diagnosis, instrumentation, anaesthesia, and patient positioning.
The book starts with an overview of the basic sinonasal surgical anatomy and techniques, and then progresses in a step-wise manner to more advanced endoscopic sinonasal procedures and skull base approaches. Each chapter focuses on the indications for the specific endoscopic surgical procedure, critical surgical anatomical landmarks for that approach, details on the surgical technique in a step-by-step fashion, potential complications, and “tips and tricks” (pearls) for the reader.
The endoscopic skull base procedure sections are organized by anatomical area; including anterior skull base, middle cranial fossa, posterior cranial fossa and craniovertebral junction, infratemporal fossa, and the nasopharynx/parapharyngeal space. At the end of the book there are also chapters that cover combined (endoscopically-assisted) external approaches to the skull base, as well as common skull base defect reconstructive techniques that may be seen by neuroradiologists on postoperative skull base scans.
The chapters are well organized in an easy to read format, with over 900 high definition endoscopic and graphic color illustrations, which are clearly labeled, but may be more difficult to understand if one is a not an endoscopic sinonasal or skull base surgeon. Another minor drawback is the lack illustrative video dissections and/or surgical case videos to highlight common surgical approaches. However, there are many high quality and well-labeled endoscopic figures from latex-fixed cadaveric endoscopic dissections, showing the skull base neurovascular and foraminal anatomy from a completely different perspective, not commonly seen by neuroradiologists. Also, many of the chapters include case examples of the most common pathologic processes encountered for that particular anatomical site, to illustrate why and how the specific surgical techniques are performed. Most of these cases are accompanied by radiological correlates (MRI and/or CT scans) for the anatomical area, surgical technique, or pathologic processes being discussed.
The authors cite a comprehensive and current list of references at the end of the chapters, if the reader wishes to do further in-depth reading on a specific topic or surgical technique. All these features make this textbook a potential book of interest for neuroradiologists seeking to understand the surgical relevance of scans they typically perform preoperatively and postoperatively on patients with skull base lesions.
Although the book primarily targets otolaryngology residents, fellows, and physicians in practice, who are interested in endoscopic skull base approaches, it may also be of interest to neuroradiology and neurosurgical residents, fellows, and practicing physicians. This book compares favourably with many other available textbooks on this complex topic. I recommend it for neuroradiologists who may regularly work with otolaryngologists and/or neurosurgeons performing endoscopic skull base surgery on a regular basis.
