In the past three decades, great strides have been made in the evaluation and treatment of spinal trauma. This comprehensive guide was compiled by editors who are internationally renowned experts in the field. Each has served as a director of a spinal cord-injury or trauma unit in the United States. The goal of creating an excellent text that covers the spectrum of spinal injuries has been achieved.
The text is divided into four sections. Section I describes the general principles of patient assessment, including physical examination and radiographic evaluation, and provides an overview of the basic pathophysiology of spinal cord and nerve-root injuries. Additional chapters address intraoperative neurological monitoring techniques and postoperative use of orthotic devices. Section II addresses the treatment of injuries of the cervical spine, and Section III focuses on injuries of the thoracolumbar spine. Section IV is devoted to important issues related to postoperative care and rehabilitation. Given the complexity of the problems that are associated with spinal cord injuries, a multidisciplinary approach is required, and this section includes a thorough and insightful review of the team approach to rehabilitation.
The highlight of the book is the series of excellent reviews on the treatment of injuries of the upper cervical spine. An exceptional chapter on craniocervical trauma, by Eismont and Frazier, and a chapter on atlantoaxial rotatory deformities, by Currier, clearly describe the anatomical abnormalities as well as current operative and nonoperative treatment approaches. The chapters on traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis, facet fractures, and sacral fractures, by Levine, are extremely clear and well focused. The specific conditions are analyzed systematically, and the assessments are current and are consistent with recent contributions to the literature.
Throughout the text, the clear illustrations are well supported by extensive reproductions of radiographs, which greatly enhance the reader's appreciation of the detailed anatomy and the operative approaches.
The chapters devoted specifically to operative approaches to the cervical and lumbosacral spine are of limited value. A better explanation of operative approaches to the thoracic and lumbar spine can be found in The Spine (part of the series Master Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery), edited by Bradford, and in the Atlas of Spine Surgery, by Winter et al.
Although this book is too detailed to serve as an introductory text for residents, it will be an excellent addition to hospital or departmental libraries. It also will be an essential reference for those who are involved in the management of patients who have spinal trauma.
Paul A. Glazer, M.D.
Boston Orthopedic Group
Brookline, Massachusetts