Nanda A. Principles of Posterior Fossa Surgery. Thieme 2011, 272 pages, 308 illustrations, $139.99.
It was a pleasure to review this book, which is very comprehensive in its coverage on the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of diseases of the posterior fossa. This book has described extensively and accurately the anatomical aspects of posterior fossa through skull base and intraoperative images, with apt correlation to the radiological imaging. This correlation enables the reader to understand and remember better the normal anatomy of posterior fossa.
Further, the author has covered all the important and commonly encountered topics of posterior fossa: trauma, congenital abnormalities, vascular malformations, and tumors. There are detailed descriptions of the molecular basis of the disease, appearance on imaging, and intra-operative aspects of the disease. The images have accurate figure legends and are appropriately placed, giving a good visual description of the text. For example, the chapter “Hemagiomas and Dural Fistulas” begins with microscopic pathology, followed by imaging studies, followed by a series of illustrations describing the various approaches to the brain stem, and then finally ends with endovascular imaging and treatment. This clinico-pathological-radiological understanding is the key to accurate diagnosis and management of any disease.
In addition, I find that the topics covered are very up-to-date and relevant to the title of the book. The references are rightly chosen to include not only landmark papers on the topic but also latest developments in the management.
This book is essential to every neurosurgery resident or attending and is definitely a good study for beginners of radiology and neuroradiology who are in the process of understanding of posterior fossa anatomy and diseases. It also serves as a reference for practicing neuroradiologists for descriptions of radiological images and their appearance intraoperatively. The surgical approaches may not be of direct relevance, but the book does explain significantly the postoperative changes noted on radiological imaging.
