Current understanding of neurological disease has been evolving over the past 150 years. With the increasing and earlier sub-specialization of neurology trainees, and their variable exposure to higher academic study, there is little opportunity to put this development into a historical context as a whole. Understanding the 'evidence-base', or appreciating the lack of it in some cases, is an important part of training but this is rarely presented in a palatable, entertaining form. Part of the Landmark Papers in series, this book brings together the ten most important papers for each sub-speciality within neurology, covering the full range of major neurological conditions. Papers have been selected by leading international experts, who not only summarize what each paper showed, but place them into a wider context that makes a coherent story of how their sub-speciality has developed.
Evidence-based medicine is a concept that has come to the fore in the past few years. Clinicians are increasingly encouraged to practise patient management based on available evidence in the scientific literature. For example, new pharmacological therapies are only used when large randomized trials have 'proven' that a particular drug is better than existing ones. This is also the case in surgical specialties, although surgery has traditionally seen a lack of useof this information, with individual surgeon's preferences being most influential in treatment choices. However, more recently, there has been a large expansion of trials and studies aimed at providingsurgeons with information to guide their choices using firm evidence. This new edition has been revised and expanded to include new data where relevant, and also features a new chapter on pituitary surgery. Landmark Papers in Neurosurgery 2e remains a key collection of the most important trials and studies in neurosurgery, allowing the reader to rapidly extract key results, and making it essential reading for all neurosurgeons and trainees in the field.
Advances in the practice of psychiatry have occurred in "fits and starts" over the last several decades. These advances are evident to anyone long affiliated with the field and are best appreciated through direct experience of living through the times. These advances can also be gleaned from historical overviews in textbooks or the recollections of one's teachers and mentors. Returning to the original papers that have ushered in these changes is rarely done for various, mostly practical, reasons. Filtering through thousands of articles in psychiatry may prove daunting, access to the manuscripts may be limited (especially for papers not available electronically), and understanding their impact requires a broader context. Moreover, with so much active research currently occurring in various branches of psychiatry, current practitioners or trainees may find their attention focused on the present, and this is reinforced by electronic search algorithms, which return articles in reverse chronological order. Not surprisingly, citations for articles in virtually all fields decline precipitously for articles over five years old. As scholars and professionals, we are losing touch with our academic heritage. Yet navigating the future of psychiatry requires a firm understanding of its past. This resource serves as a guide for anyone seeking to understand the evolution of psychiatry as a scientific discipline. It does so by summarizing over 100 landmark papers in psychiatry and placing their scientific contributions within a historical context. An introductory section sets the stage for the major theoretical constructs within the field, with chapters devoted to ontology and nosology. Subsequent sections examine major facets of the theory and practice of psychiatry, such as pathogenesis of psychiatric illness, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and somatic treatments. These sections are divided logically into chapters addressing important contributions to the understanding and treatment of specific disorders. A final section explores ethical considerations within each field. This framework echoes the complexity of psychiatry, which cannot be reduced to a single set of diagnoses or subspecialty categories. Highlighting the research trajectory of psychiatry, this resource will appeal to academics, trainees, and practitioners who desire a comprehensive, easy-to-read, up-to-date collection of psychiatry's pivotal moments. By understanding the challenges, inspirations, and insights from the past, readers will be better poised to address new and ongoing challenges within the field.
Otolaryngological conditions affect people of all ages from newborns to older members of society, and have serious consequences for daily functions such as breathing, taste, and communication. There is a constant desire to understand the best evidence for current practice in a constantly evolving field such as medicine, and key publications underpin this contemporary knowledge. Landmark Papers in Otolaryngology presents a distilled summary of 99 of the classic, ground-breaking, and significant publications in the field of otolaryngology that are of essential relevance to the speciality today. Each paper is described, critiqued, and brought into the context of modern-day practice by a carefully selected team of international authorities from each subspecialist area to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the key publications in otolaryngology. Whether your aim is to understand the origins of otolaryngology, to review advances in key areas, or to gain insight from experts, this book offers a wealth of knowledge for everyone in the field, from the new trainee to the senior clinician. Landmark Papers in Otolaryngology is an invaluable and easily accessible reference text for all practitioners in the field, as well as those in overlapping specialities such as maxillofacial surgery, neurology, and plastic surgery.
50 Studies Every Neurologist Should Know presents key studies that shape the current clinical practice of neurology. All neurologic subspecialties are covered, with a special emphasis on neurocritical care and vascular neurology. For each study, a concise summary is presented with an emphasis on the results and limitations of the study, and its implications for practice. An illustrative clinical case concludes each review, followed by brief information on other relevant studies. This is the first book of its kind to present a collection of the most influential clinical trials in neurology that are detailed enough to be used on rounds, but still easily digestible. It is a must-read for health care professionals and anyone who wants to learn more about the data behind clinical practice.
There has been an exponential increase in the volume and quality of published research relating to spine care over the last several decades. Among thousands of articles, a small fraction has been shown to be truly "game changing," forcing the entire field to pause and take notice. These landmark studies may describe a new procedure or surgical approach, evaluate the relative effects of known treatments or techniques, introduce a new classification system, or provide new insights into natural history or disease prognosis. Such studies form the foundations of spine surgery today.This book will be a useful reference not only to the established spine surgeon, but also to neurosurgery and orthopedic residents, as well as to spine surgery fellows as they continue to fortify their knowledge surrounding spinal disorders. Further, this will no doubt serve as a useful evidence-based resource for trainees studying for professional examinations and perhaps most importantly challenge and inspire clinicians to produce high-quality impactful research.
A major contribution to the literature in neurology from renowned neurointensivist Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, MD, PhD, Famous First Papers for the Neurointensivist presents and critically assesses numerous papers that have made a profound impact on the diagnosis and treatment of neurologically acute conditions. In general, there has been little historical work in acute neurologic conditions, precisely because neurology is not perceived through this perspective. Famous First Papers for the Neurointensivist addresses this problem by a scholarly treatment of early descriptions of clinical signs, syndromes and presenting the development of treatment of these acute disorders. Using a uniform and easy-to-read format, the title offers a clear reproduction of each paper’s title page, a short historical note, and a brief discussion and its implications, and a final comment to provide perspective. Landmark clinical trials that apply to acute neurology are included, and the book also briefly discusses the birth of intensive care units. Ground-breaking and indispensable for all physicians and researchers interested in neurocritical care, Famous First Papers for the Neurointensivist is a unique, original reference, providing not only a single source for discovering the most important papers in the field but also a critical analysis of the impact of each paper on the development of neurocritical care. "Dr Wijdicks has been integral to the growth and development of neurocritical care as a specialty. He has cultivated it firsthand, serving as a contemporary of Raymond Adams, C. Miller Fisher, and Allan Ropper, all pioneers in acute neurological care. He established the neurocritical care program at the Mayo Clinic in the early 1990s and has served as the editor in chief of the journal Neurocritical Care, which was first published in 2004 after the foundation of the Neurocritical Care Society. His unique vantage point allows him to bring us a book that few others could produce, Famous First Papers for the Neurointensivist. This book is an original in the field and should be on the reading list of anyone who cares for critically ill neurologic and neurosurgical patients... Reading this book from cover to cover is highly recommended. The writing is clear and concise, and the transitions are smooth. Each essay is self-contained and allows the reader to set his or her own pace. Once completed,the book serves as a great reference book because each essay stands on its own. The photographs of the manuscripts' title pages and key tables and figures are of high quality, and a translation is provided if the original work was not in English... Dr Wijdicks has sifted through the library stacks and has emerged with a book that puts the specialty of neurocritical care into historical perspective. In order to know where you are going, you must first know where you have been. This holds especially true for neurocritical care because the specialty continues to grow and flourish." -- JAMA NEUROL/VOL 70 (NO. 4), APR 2013 WWW. JAMANEURO.COM
Landmark Papers in General Surgery will give surgeons, surgical trainees and other healthcare professionals an expert appraisal of key papers, and fast access to the evidence base behind current clinical practice in General Surgery. Each chapter draws together a fascinating selection of the most important clinical trials across every subspecialty within General Surgery, as selected and appraised by a panel of experts. Organized according to a common format, each discussion offers a clear structure by which to appraise the medical literature. Following a background summary of each trial, experts discuss the impact of the research and critique the methods used, giving the reader rapid understanding of the paper's place within the wider field of research. This emphasis on the tools of critical appraisal is enhanced by an introductory chapter equipping the reader with the skills required to knowledgeably appraise a research paper. For clinicians needing to keep abreast of the vast scope of medical research, this book will prove an interesting and timesaving resource, but it will also appeal to allied health professionals keen to improve the depth of their understanding of surgery. By bringing together the evidence base with expert guidance on critical appraisal, higher surgical trainees preparing for the academic and specialty sections of the FRCS exit examination will also find the text invaluable as a means of consolidating and nuancing their knowledge.
There have been major developments in our understanding of the causes of rheumatic disease and in their treatment during the last half-century. This book provides a detailed review of the seminal papers that have paved the way for breakthroughs in the clinical management of the entire spectrum of rheumatic disease.
Pain Medicine, a relatively new specialty, has proven increasingly relevant to medical practitioners in every field. The specialism of pain has emerged over the past 50 years, largely due to the persistence of experts and new medical evidence that points to its necessity. Today, it is a distinct and integral part of global medical practice. Landmark Papers in Pain offers a comprehensive inventory of over 80 key studies in pain medicine from the last 100 years. Each paper is accompanied by a concise commentary on the significance of the original findings written by an expert in pain. The reviews discuss how the paper influenced the development of the speciality, and how the findings have advanced our global comprehension of pain. Together, the selected papers and reviews chart the growth of an embryonic field into the modern speciality of pain medicine. Complied by leading specialists in the field, the papers included in this book are significant for any student, researcher, clinical practitioner, or medical historian interested in pain medicine. Organised into eight distinct topics and cross-referenced by topics and author of original paper, the book is comprehensive in its coverage and easy to use. A review of the contemporary and historical research that shaped the speciality of pain, Landmark Papers in Pain is essential reading for all medical practitioners with an interest in pain medicine.
