Cervical Spondylosis and Similar Disorders. Edited by K.
Ono, J. Dvo�cute]]k, and E. Dunn. Language editor, J. Antinnes. River
Edge, New Jersey, World Scientific, 1998. $147.00, 763 pp.
This multiauthored monograph, compiled by editors from the United
States, Switzerland, and Japan, provides an overview of a wide spectrum
of topics concerning cervical spondylosis. The authors of the fifteen
chapters are drawn from a wide range of disciplines, including orthopaedic
and neurological surgery, radiology, and neurology, enhancing the
variety of perspectives that are presented.
The first four chapters deal with epidemiology, anatomy, and
biomechanics, and they include a description of an animal model
for cervical spondylosis. The next five chapters address pathophysiology,
symptomatology, radiographic and electrophysiological evaluation,
and clinical diagnosis. The latter portion of the text covers operative
and nonoperative treatment modalities. Selected surgical techniques,
along with their potential advantages, disadvantages, and known complications,
are described. Several specific syndromes (radiculopathy, myelopathy,
deltoid muscle paresis, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal
ligament) are covered in detail. There is a chapter dedicated to
cervical trauma and another chapter devoted to cervical spondylosis
in athetoid cerebral palsy.
This is an ambitious and comprehensive volume. The illustrations
are generally of high quality, and the text is enhanced by an extensive
review of the literature. The chapters on diagnosis, evaluation, anatomy,
and pathophysiology are particularly valuable and informative. The
section that provides a historical perspective on the evolution
of current surgical techniques is enlightening and quite well written.
However, the book is organized in such a way that it closely resembles
a disparate collection of journal articles. This results in a repetition
of information, an uneven quality of writing and chapter content,
and a general lack of thematic coherence, which impairs the ease
of reading. Current developments in surgical technique and, specifically,
recent advents in both anterior and posterior instrumentation are
covered only in passing, and this represents a major shortcoming
of the text.
Both the uneven structure of the text and the complexity of the
information presented within it will limit its usefulness to general
orthopaedists. Overall, however, this monograph contains a wealth
of information, which will make it a valuable addition to the libraries
of orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons with a specific
interest in cervical disorders.
David Arndt, M.D.
Associates in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts