Epilepsies

Exactly 25 years after the publication of The Epilepsies as Volume 15 in the first series of the Handbook of Clinical Neurology, a revised and updated edition now makes its appearance. It does so in two volumes. Part II describes the clinical syndromes as classified in the current International Classification. It provides coverage of three aspects of treatment, viz., pharmacotherapy, surgery and psychotherapy. New technologies of the 20th century have changed the contents of this edition, introducing chapters dealing with magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography, single proton emission computerized tomography and positron emission tomography scanning. The enormous advances made are evident when comparing the chapters on the genetics of epilepsy, the neurochemistry and the nature and origin of pathoanatomical changes as they appeared in Volume 15 and the analogous chapters in the new work. As the renewal rate of handbooks is more likely to span decades than years the contents have been screened to contain as much as possible established facts and the least possible speculative matter. An exception has been made for the developments in the relatively new field of assessment of the impact of epilepsy and its treatment on quality of life. An excellent stand-alone reference book, which will assist the busy neurologist to quickly find essential information, and with sufficient depth to take well informed decisions in clinical practice.Vinken, Pierre J. is the author of 'Epilepsies' with ISBN 9780444828118 and ISBN 0444828117.