Neuropathology: A Reference Text of CNS Pathology (2nd edition)

David Ellison, Seth Love, Leila Chimelli, Brian N. Harding, James Lowe and Harry V. Vinters Neuropathology: A Reference Text of CNS Pathology (2nd edition) MOSBY , 2004 Elsevier Ltd . •• Pages. Price £ 245.00 (hardback). ISBN 0-7234-3239-2 . The first edition of ‘Neuropathology’ by Ellison, Love and colleagues, published in 1998, was very well received. It seemed to be unique among neuropathology publications in that it combined the features of a pictorial atlas together with the information content of a formal textbook. It provided core information together with more detailed information in a very accessible way. As a consequence, this was the book that I have always recommended as the first port of call for trainees in pathology and neuropathology. This new edition represents an updating but, thankfully, little has changed in the excellent way in which information is presented. The large format pages are lavishly illustrated in high quality full colour throughout with photographs of macroscopic specimens, histology and, where appropriate, electron microscopy. Summary information is presented in text boxes containing bulleted points, and more detailed information is presented in the form of tables and lists. There are also very useful diagrams explaining, for example, histological sampling of the brain for dementia. I particularly like the summary box for the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies, which contains on one half page all the information required to sample the brain histologically, perform appropriate stains and assess the sections histologically for Lewy bodies according to standard criteria. The scope of the book is comprehensive, with sections covering pathological reactions in the CNS, paediatrics, vascular disorders, trauma, infectious disease, demyelinating diseases, nutritional and metabolic disorders, toxic injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and neoplasms. Ophthalmic pathology and pathology of muscle are not covered. Each of the sections is logically subdivided into a total of 47 chapters over 750 pages. The preface indicates that the number of illustrations in the first edition is over 2500 and that the second edition contains 364 additional figures and extra tables and data boxes. This is a substantial piece of work. An outstanding feature of this publication is the inclusion of a CD that contains all of the spectacular images, tables and diagrams in the book with an easy to use interface and the ability to export selected files to PowerPoint for presentation purposes. The images on the CD are organized in the same chapters and with the same figure numbers, complete with legends, as in the hard copy of the book. This makes it very easy to find the electronic versions of images that have been identified when browsing the hard copy. The CD alone is an outstanding contribution to Neurosciences. I will continue to recommend this book as the first port of call for trainees in neuropathology, pathology, clinical neurosciences and nonclinical neurosciences. It will be of great value to all who have the need to access information about neuropathology, including those already practising as specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and care of the elderly. This book also continues to be of great value to specialist neuropathologists as a reference for the appearances of the more uncommon abnormalities and as a source for materials for teaching and training. I am unable to find any way in which to criticize this publication whatsoever, and I very warmly recommend it.