Acta Neurochir (Wien) (2005) 147: 1009

DOI 10.1007/s00701-005-0595-2

Book ReviewThe Cervical Spine, Cervical Spine Research Society

C. R. Clark, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

This is a big book at 1222 pages. Prepared by internationally recog-

nized members of The Cervical Spine Research Society, this volume is

the definitive source of information on basic and clinical research, new

diagnostic techniques, and current therapeutic strategies. Building on the

strengths and traditions of the previous 3 editions, the committee’s fourth

volume represents the latest thinking of neurosurgeons, orthopaedic sur-

geons, radiologists, neurologists, anatomists, and bioengineers. Advances

have necessitated several new chapters, including one on spinal cord

and nerve regeneration.

This book continues to evolve. There are now 10 sections. The first

deals with Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics. For a neurosurgical

audience the biomechanical chapters are clear and well illustrated. This

is an area neglected in many training programmes to our detriment. The

second section deals with neurological evaluation. It is good to see clear

well written chapters here. It is useful to see a good sensible overview on

diagnostic discography. This technique is controversial, and not prac-

ticed by many. I think it important for a textbook like this to present all

facets of the world not just mainstream techniques.

There are good chapters on neurophysiology. I particularly enjoyed

the specific chapter on outcome measures. These are now the essential

measurement tool for surgeons.

The book is mainly north American in outlook. Notable contributions

from European authors include Chapters from Alan Crockard and Dieter

Grob on rheumatoid arthritis, neurophysiology from Jiri Dvorak and a

very lucid account of congenital malformations of skull base, atlas, and

dens. This chapter brings together basic embryology and spinal condi-

tions in a particularly clear manner. Stefano Borianni presents his exten-

sive experience on spinal tumours from the Rizzoli Institute Bologna.

The Japanese make notable contributions for OPLL and laminoplasty

chapters. There is a good section with authors justifying their approaches

to cervical myelopathy (laminectomy, laminioplasty, anterior)

There are interesting chapters on many relatively small print condi-

tions e.g. klippel fell, skeletal dysplasias. It is good to see a major

section on complications, with expert views on how to handle them.

Adrian Casey

London, UK