Customer Reviews

Neurological Differential Diagnosis

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John Patton's Neurological Differential Diagnosis was the first text of neurology I purchased, at the suggestion of my chief resident Dr. John Stiller while doing my required 3-month clerkship during my medical training inthe 1980's. I still own the original 1977 Edition, and still make use of it's insightful diagrams and concise, to-the-point clinical discussions. Although I am not a neurologist, (I am a clincial anaesthesiologist specialized in the diagnosis and treatment ofchronic pain disorders, and an assistant professor of neuroscience at a university), I still find Patton's ingenious illustrations very helpful in mastering the neuroanatomy and pathophysiology of neurological diseases I see in the pain clinic setting. I also use the illustrations from this text in my graduate course on Clinical Neuroscince and Chronic Pain at my university. This is one of those textbooks whose information I really trust. The Second Edition''s table of contents looks much the same as the Firsts'. I would assume the Second Edition has retained the author's text and illustrations and has added some plates and discussions of neuroimaging. Overall, a very worthwhile investment for a medical student's, doctor's, or neuroscientist's library.

I am a 3rd-year neurology resident, and I don't have the time nor the energy to plow through thousands of pages of densely written neurology textbooks. This book has wonderful illustrations that make it easy to remember the complexities of the nervous system so that you can put them to use for localization at the bedside. The text is clear but not verbose. I highly recommend this book for neurology residents.

A fast read (for a neurology text, i.e.). Clear and concise writing and explanations. Nice illustrations. Doesn't bog you down with minutia. A great starter book for budding neurologists.

I am a board certified neurologist and this book is the best ever I have ever reviewed. If you are just starting to learn what neurology is all about. Start here. The first chapter that I started reading was number 16, Diagnosis of cervical root and peripheral nerve lesions affecting arm.After that there was no stopping every chapter after that was interesting and easy and focused. I always use to be concerned that how am I suppose to memorize all the dermatome levels and exact root values of reflexes and muscles. This is the book which made this sooooooooo much sense and I exaxctly knew which are the imp ones and I need to remember and which I do not need to worry about. Start chapter 16 then 17 then anywhere you want to go.This would be my recommendation.

Not the most complete book on neurological differential diagnosis (I do not know what book that would be), but is is a treasure simply for its amazing illustrations. You can actually see things only described about in other texts. It almost seems like one is at the neuroanatomy lab! The short vignettes are a nice touch and may be helpful to some. They serve to break up the text and reinforce the pathology just described. I think this book is best used by residents.

This book is well written with good explanations and illustrations of difficult neuroanatomy (eg brainstem and eye movements are covered extremely well) and is particularly easy to read and comprehend. Some essential concepts are included that I havent seen in other texts. The author includes clinical case studies from his own experience, which are sometimes quite useful in illustrating the more obscure presentations of some conditions. I think the neurogenetic section needs updating. It does not cover the anatomy of the ventricular system. Irrespective of this, you wont be dissapointed if you buy this book, and it is something you will refer to frequently to clarify finer points of neuroanatomy.

This is how neurology should be approached - an art of clinical exam
An analytical approach to localisation than the CT/MRI approach
Would suggest to anyone who does a neuro exam and not just neurology residents

if you have an interest in neurological disorders this book offers nearly enough detail that is relvant in the clinical setting. a great book to read cover to cover!!

This book is worth the price for the illustrations alone. It is also great for the many clinical gems throughout each chapter. The one criticism I have is regarding the chapter on conjugate eye movements. There has been a lot more research on this subject since this book was written making much of this material inaccurate if not wrong. I would still buy this book but skip over Chapter 7 and refer to the book "The Neurology of Eye Movements" by Leigh & Zee for more up-to-date information (more technical and difficult to read as well).

No mention of ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis aka CFS/CFIDS). ME is a common (1M+ in US) and extremely debilitating disease classified in ICD at 93.3 Diseases of the Brain since its entry into ICD in 1969.