The second edition of this text is a welcome addition to a growing number of books available related to management of epilepsy. As with the first edition the book includes neurologists and epileptoligists from four different continents bringing with them their own unique perspective and experience to the text. The book is organized into four sections; the first is an introduction to the important topics related to management. The second section deals with principles of medical treatment in special populations as well as topics of general interest such as management of epilepsy in medically complicated patients and psychiatric issues in epilepsy. The third section deals with individual drugs and the last section with presurgical evaluation and surgical therapy in some detail.

     This book is very well organized and easy to read. The content is appropriate both for new learners as well as experts wishing to update their knowledge. Useful additions include expansion of the introductory section that now include chapters on Sudden Death in Epilepsy, Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Epilepsy and Mechanisms of Antiepileptic Drug Action. With the increase in the number of AEDs available it is nice to see a chapter dedicated to drug interactions as well. Special attention has been given to diagnosis and treatment of non-epileptic seizures a very common but often ignored problem.

     The chapters although written by different experts with varied background seem to flow well and are organized in a uniform manner making them easy to read. Almost all of the chapters have useful tables and figures that allow an individual to quickly review important information. Chapters on AEDs have a summary page that is extremely helpful for a quick review. Dosing information and drug interactions are also summarized well in most of the chapters. The section on epilepsy surgery provides a good overview as well as detailed information regarding most of the relevant topics such as surgery in post-traumatic epilepsy, surgery for neoplasia, cortical dysplasia etc. A chapter on newer techniques such as functional MRI and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is also a very useful addition.

     Overall this is an extremely useful text for fellows, neurologists, and epileptologists and for other health care providers involved in caring for people with epilepsy. I strongly recommend it as a text to own and have additional copies available in departmental and institutional libraries.

Ratings:(1-4, 4 being the Highest)

Organization of information:    4

Usefulness of book:     4

Suitable for intended audience:    4

Author’s objectives met:      4

Significant number of illustrations:     3

Quality of illustrations:    3

Table of Contents:

Section I:  Introduction

Chapter 1.     Definitions and Classification of Epilepsy

Chapter 2.     Epidemiology and Prognosis of Epilepsy and its Treatment

Chapter 3.     Sudden Death in Epilepsy

Chapter 4.     Aetiology of Epilepsy

Chapter 5.     Differential Diagnosis of Epilepsy

Chapter 6.     Mechanisms of Epileptogenesis

Chapter 7.     Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Epilepsy

Chapter 8.     Antiepileptic Drug Discovery

Chapter 9.     Mechanisms of Antiepileptic Drug Action

Chapter 10.   Drug Interactions in Epilepsy   

Section II:  Principles of Medical Treatment  

Chapter 11.   General Principles of Medical Treatment

Chapter 12.   Management of Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy

Chapter 13.   Management of Epilepsy in Remission

Chapter 14.   Management of Epilepsy in Infants

Chapter 15.   Management of Epilepsy in Children

Chapter 16.   Management of Epilepsy in the Elderly Person

Chapter 17.   Management of Epilepsy in People with Learning Disabilities

Chapter 18.   Emergency Treatment of Seizures and Status Epilepticus

Chapter 19.   Treatment of Epilepsy in General Medical Conditions

Chapter 20.   Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in Epilepsy

Chapter 21.   The Ketogenic Diet

Chapter 22.   Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Epilepsy

Chapter 23.   Reproductive Aspects of Epilepsy Treatment

Chapter 24.   Genetic Counseling in Epilepsy

Chapter 25.   Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Epileptic Seizures

Section III:  Drugs Used in the Treatment of Epilepsy

Chapter 26.   The Choice of Drugs and Approach to Drug Treatments in Partial Epilepsy

Chapter 27.   Acetazolamide

Chapter 28.   Carbamazepine

Chapter 29.   Clobazam

Chapter 30.   Clonazepam

Chapter 31.   Short-Acting and Other Benzodiazepines

Chapter 32.   Ethosuximide

Chapter 33.   Felbamate

Chapter 34.   Fosphenytoin

Chapter 35.   Gabapentin

Chapter 36.   Lamotrigine

Chapter 37.   Levetiracetam

Chapter 38.   Oxcarbazepine

Chapter 39.   Phenobarbital, Primidone, and Other Barbiturates

Chapter 40.   Phenytoin

Chapter 41.   Piracetam

Chapter 42.   Pregabalin

Chapter 43.   Rufinamide

Chapter 44.   Tiagabine

Chapter 45.   Topiramate

Chapter 46.   Valproate

Chapter 47.   Vigabatrin

Chapter 48.   Zonisamide

Chapter 49.   Other Drugs More Rarely Used in the Treatment of Epilepsy

Chapter 50.   Antiepileptic Drugs in Clinical Trials

Section IV:  Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy and Epilepsy Surgery

Chapter 51.   Introduction to Epilepsy Surgery and Its Presurgical Assessment

Chapter 52.   The Scalp EEG in Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 53.   Invasive EEG in Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 54.   MEG in Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 55.   MRI in Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 56.   PET and SPECT in Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 57.   New Physiological and Radiological Investigations in the Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 58.   Psychological Testing in Presurgical Evaluation of Epilepsy

Chapter 59.   The Role of Psychiatric Assessment in Presurgical Evaluation

Chapter 60.   Surgery of Hippocampal Sclerosis

Chapter 61.   Resective Surgery of Neoplastic Lesions for Epilepsy

Chapter 62.   Resective Surgery of Vascular and Infective Lesions for  Epilepsy  

Chapter 63.   Surgery of Cortical Dysgenesis for Epilepsy

Chapter 64.   Surgery of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

Chapter 65.   Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery

Chapter 66.   Hemispherectomy for Epilepsy

Chapter 67.   Corpus Callosum Section for Epilepsy

Chapter 68.   Multiple Subpial Transection for Epilepsy

Chapter 69.   Awake Surgery for Epilepsy

Chapter 70.   Stereotactic Surgery for Epilepsy

Chapter 71.   Complications of Epilepsy Surgery

Chapter 72.   Anesthesia for Epilepsy Surgery

Chapter 73.   Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Chapter 74.   Future Surgical Approaches to Epilepsy