This is a useful, easy to read, 'charming' book highlighting the clinical presentation of common and not so common infections of the nervous system, written by one of the leaders in clinical and research neurovirology. By using the format of clinical vignettes the reader is immediately engaged and then is asked and told what to do next... Treatment is evidence based when such evidence is available and when not; the reader is provided the approach of an experienced neurologist with a career in neuroinfectious diseases... While this book serves as a resource to which one return when confronted with a patient with a clinical presentation that might well be due to infection or inflammation of the nervous system, it is also possible to simply read the book just for 'enjoyment'. I know I did. -- Robert P Lisak, MD, FRCP, FAAN, Parker Webber Chair in Neurology, Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI Dr Gilden has written a remarkably concise and useful guide to the management of a wide range of infections of the nervous system... and he has managed the very difficult feat of giving a wealth of key information about each condition while at the same time getting over with commendable clarity all the key aetiological, clinical and management points... I am unaware of any previous book on this subject, in particular in relation to virus infections of the nervous system, which manages to present such an integrated, comprehensive, and practical approach as has been achieved here. This book will undoubtedly be of considerable value to a wide range of readers including neurologists, infectious diseases and general medicine consultants, specialist trainees, medical students and other health professionals. -- Professor Peter GE Kennedy CBE, MD, PhD, DSc, FRCP, FMedSci, FRSE, Burton Chair of Neurology, Glasgow University, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Scotland, UK Thirty-five succinctly analyzed and cogently discussed vignettes are written by a world renowned clinical neurologist with extensive experience in infections and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system. The cases are practical, well-written and packed with important teaching points and clinical pearls. The author does not shy away from controversy and provides strong opinions on management when scientific data is not available. This is a book that all clinical neurologists should keep on their desk. -- Professor Oded Abramsky, MD, PhD, FRCP, Chairmen Emeritus of the Department of Neurology, Dean Emeritus of the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel Neuroinflammatory diseases are among the most important, inherently interesting, sometimes exotic, constantly changing, and always challenging problems in medicine. In this wonderful volume, Don Gilden has brought together a lifetime of clinical experience to highlight, in an accessible case method format, both the common and the rare. The result is a unique survey of the field by one of its true giants, with insightful pedagogical insights that burst forth from every page. There is new, practical information here for everyone, from students to the most seasoned practitioner. -- Stephen L. Hauser, MD, Professor & Chair, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA In this book, Dr. Gilden addresses 35 different cases of clinical infectious and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system through highly insightful presentations. Each case tells a practical story of how such diseases begin, are diagnosed and are managed and treated. -- Howard L. Lipton, MD, Department of Microbiology-Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL Dr. Gilden has provided a very engaging approach to helping clinicians who care for individuals with a wide variety of infections and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system. The challenge of a case description is followed by his analysis of pathogenesis, then management, and finally bulleted Key Points to Remember. Brief bibliographies list carefully selected references. Neuroinfections will be most useful to neurology and internal medicine residents, and to experienced clinicians who may not be dealing with these disorders on a daily basis. -- Donald Silberberg, MD, Professor and Chair Emeritus, Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA This volume will have a significant place in the clinician's library. The format of 1) a case report, 2) what to do now (diagnosis and treatment), 3) key points about the infection and 4) further reading will serve as an excellent manual for students, residents and clinicians. It is clearly and concisely written and will be important in both academic settings and to private practitioners. -- Leslie P. Weiner, MD, Department of Neurology, Keck Medical Center of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA A helpful and informative summary of major etiologies of neurologic infections, in an enjoyable, easy-to-read format. -- Emerging Infectious Diseases The narrative is very clear and well written and flows smoothly. ... It is an excellent introduction to a complicated and difficult field and should be available to the neurology resident and general neurologist as well as the specialist. --Journal of the Neurological Sciences
