The 5-Minute Neurology Consult, 2nd edition, is one volume of the 5-Minute Consult series. The first neurology edition was published in 2004. Other volumes in the series include Women’s Health, Pediatrics, and Intensive Care Unit and are published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
The book is made up of four sections, authored by over 100 contributors. Topics are listed in alphabetical order, and there is a comprehensive index, which makes navigation straightforward. Each topic is covered in one to two pages organized into three columns per page with prominent headings. ICD-9 codes are listed where relevant.
The first section, entitled “Neurological Symptoms and Signs,” is 35 pages long and approaches neurological conditions from the initial presentation point of view. This section includes symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and tremor. Common neuro-ophthalmic symptoms of vision loss and diplopia are not included. Each topic succinctly outlines the initial approach and workup based on symptoms and signs, starting with a basic description that includes epidemiology, genetics, and risk factors. It then gives a summary of diagnostic criteria from labs and imaging to pathological findings and a differential diagnosis. Treatment is reviewed next, including medical, surgical, as well as alternative therapies. Finally, there is a discussion of follow-up recommendations and prognosis. For some sections, patient educational information and additional reading suggestions are also listed. This section is likely to be particularly helpful for the primary care or emergency room physician who may see the initial presentation of a patient before a diagnosis has been made. It may also be a useful reference to the practicing neuro-ophthalmologist when considering how to approach associated neurological symptoms that a patient may have.
The second section is entitled “Neurological Diagnostic Tests” and is 13 pages long. Each page of this section focuses on the indications, benefits, and risks of various diagnostic procedures used in neurology, including catheter-based angiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, brain biopsy, and neuromuscular diagnostic tests, including electromyography and nerve conduction studies. It does not include a discussion of laboratory testing, nor lumbar puncture.
The third section, “Neurological Diseases and Disorders,” constitutes the bulk of this textbook, spanning 389 pages. This section is set up similar to Section I, with basics, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care outlined for each diagnosis. This section includes many topics relevant to neuro-ophthalmology, including giant cell arteritis, Horner syndrome, increased intracranial pressure, pituitary tumours, and cavernous sinus thrombosis. This section would be helpful for the clinician looking for specific information on the approach to a particular condition. It would also be helpful for the student trying to learn neurological diagnostic and treatment criteria.
The fourth and final section, “Short Topics,” is 10 pages long and covers in one paragraph a number of rarer disorders not covered elsewhere in the book. It includes topics such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, Möbius syndrome, and POEMS syndrome and discusses briefly their diagnosis and treatment.
Of note, this volume does not include tables, figures, or illustrations. Although some topics may benefit from such visual aids, the format of this book does not necessarily call for them. Most topics do not fully utilize the one or two assigned pages, and there remains empty space on most pages that can be used by the reader to add personalized notes or illustrations.
This 8½ × 11-inch hardcover handbook comprises 464 pages and weighs 3 pounds. Due to its size, it is best suited as a reference book kept in an office or library. However, its format lends itself to easy accessibility during the workup of a patient to review the basics of various neurological conditions, as well as their diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Each topic is presented in a comprehensive, but concise manner that allows for quick review while working up a patient without overwhelming the reader with too much detail.
This book could serve as a useful reference in a neuro-ophthalmology clinic, especially when faced with a non-neuro-ophthalmic symptom or a specific neurological or neurosurgical disease process. In the library, this text would be an excellent resource for the student to review knowledge and highlight important facts about various conditions. For the patient, although it provides more information and jargon than he or she might understand, it does offer sound basic, treatment, and prognostic information that can prepare him or her for a better discussion with a health care provider at a future visit. It also lists Web sites of various organizations that can provide patient education and support.