Customer Reviews

Disorders of the Vestibular System

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It is a comprehensive book dealing with vestibular physiology and pathology. It covers the possible causes of vestibular disorders and the clinical presentation as well as the differential diagnosis. I found it very helpful as a resident in trying to understand the pathophysiology of vestibular dysfunction. I also found it helpful in classifying the etiology as peripheral versus central.

This is an up-to-date, comprehensive review of disorders of the vestibular system written by leaders in the field. The book is divided into four parts: basic vestibular mechanisms, clinical evaluation, common vestibular diseases, and treatment of vertigo. Part I reviews the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system with emphasis on clinically relevant material. Part II describes features in the patient's history, examination, and laboratory evaluation that help the clinician determine the probable site of lesion and likely pathophysiology. The history is emphasized since it is the critical first step for understanding the patient's complaints. Part III covers the differential diagnosis and specific treatments of common neurologic disorders. One chapter provides an overview of the common syndromes seen in neurotology. Part IV discusses general principles of treatment that are relevant to all vestibular disorders. This book should be useful to all physicians who treat patients complaining of dizziness. It can be used as a text by students entering the field or as a comprehensive source of reference to those in internal medicine, family practice, otolaryngology, neurology, head and neck surgery, and neurosurgery.

Even though it has been more than 10 years since this book came out and it deals with a changing clinical field, it is still a top-notch resource to which researchers will refer frequently at the beginning of their efforts, due to the comprehensive and detailed treatments found therein. You will find some interesting things in here that you will not find in other texts on the subject. It is not a book for general audiences, however.