Cranial Nerves: Anatomy, Pathology, Imaging. Devin K. Binder, D. Christian Sonne, Nancy J. Fischbein (authors). Thieme 2011, 248 pages, 469 illustrations, $89.95.
In a well illustrated and well laid out format, Drs. Binder, Sonne and Fischbein discuss and illustrate critical issues in evaluating the cranial nerves in their newly published book Cranial Nerves: Anatomy, Pathology, Imaging. This soft cover, 248-page book deals — as one would expect — with each cranial nerve in a separate chapter. In addition to those 12 chapters, there are sections on the brain stem, the pupil, the parasympathetic ganglia, and functional reflexes associated with individual cranial nerves. The chapters are dealt with in a similar manner — i.e. sub sections within each chapter concerning function, anatomy, and MR images (mainly) of lessons involving that cranial nerve. The number of cases related to each cranial nerve varies, with, for example, 15 cases shown under the trigeminal nerve and 6 cases under the abducens nerve.
There have been books published in the past which deal with the Cranial Nerves— such as volume 18, number 2 of the Neuroimaging Clinics of North America, edited by Jan Casselman and Cranial Nerves: Functional Anatomy edited by Stanley Monkhouse. The format in both of those differs somewhat from this book where the format repeats itself from chapter to chapter and the text is more reader friendly. In addition, sprinkled throughout are pertinent “Clinical Pearls” and “Imaging Pearls”; these “pearls” are well known to the readers of the AJNR, but since the book is not aimed primarily for practicing neuroradiologists, others (residents, fellows, clinicians in other services, medical students) for whom this book is principally targeted will find the material useful.
The images are of high quality, and the material covers a wealth of pathology; this in itself is worth reviewing. To this reviewer the main value relates to a fine review of the complex neuroanatomy of the brain stem and the cranial nerves. Such a review and re-review of this material will cement the intricate anatomy in one’s mind. As an example, take the 8th nerve (Vestibulocohlear). First, there are descriptions and illustrations of the components which make up the vestibular apparatus, the vestibular nerve, the vestibular nuclei, the cochlear nerve and the auditory pathways. Normal CT and MR anatomy then follow showing the basic structures. Before individual cases are shown, there is a summary describing the clinical manifestations of vestibular and auditory pathway lesions. Then comes the case material (21) and the associated “pearls”. The presentation of the images does not lend itself well to a quiz-like format since a brief history (1 sentence) is followed immediately by the diagnosis. Run of the mill CP angle masses are supplemented by more unusual cases such as sarcoid (always in the differential, it seems), autoimmune neuritis, and labyrinthine hemorrhage. A similar format is followed for each of the cranial nerves.
This book would be useful to residents, fellows in neuroradiology, and those who may wish a review of the skull base region and the cranial nerves.
