Abstract
This self-assessment colour review consists of just under 200 questions based on neurological problems. Each question provides the reader with succinct information on a neurological problem, usually aided by one or more good quality illustrative plates such as photographs of the patient, radiography, CSF cytology, gross post mortem specimens or ocular images. The questions are often subdivided into parts which help the reader solve the problem in a step-wise logical manner avoiding the temptation of jumping to the final diagnosis. Each individual page of questions is followed immediately by the answers overleaf, which makes this type of self assessment book easier to use than some others which have all the answers in a separate section at the end.
The book covers a wide range of neurological problems from orthopedic abnormalities to endocrine peripheral neuropathies, from infectious diseases to equipment used for brain surgery. The majority of questions refer to canine patients, with some cats and the occasional avian case also presented. The canine bias is a little disappointing for a text on small animal neurology. The questions range from relatively simple ones on neurological examination to more challenging cases with diagnostic contrast radiography. The inclusion of results of techniques such as MRI, EMG and brain stem auditory evoked potentials, although not commonly employed in veterinary practices, remind the reader of the usefulness of such tests in appropriate cases which are referred.
The answer sections are quite thorough in their explanations. Sometimes tables or colour diagrams of nerve pathways are included to explain lesion localisation with respect to clinical signs. A fair proportion of the answers are followed by one to two references which is useful for those wishing to expand their knowledge in a particular area.
This book is obviously not designed to be a comprehensive text on neurology. It provides a fun and practical approach to neurological cases enabling learning in a light-hearted manner. It should be of particular value to veterinarians wishing to update their neurological skills or those revising for examinations which include any aspect of small animal neurology.