50 Challenging Spinal Pain Syndrome Cases: A Problem Solving Approach

Book Review by Stephen Savoie, DC

Title:

50 Challenging Spinal Pain Syndrome Cases: A Problem Solving Approach

Author:

Lynton Giles, MSc, PhD, DC

Publisher:

Butterworth-Heinemann

Part #:

T-501

This is a very interesting book. It is a collection of 50 different cases dealing with pain in the lumbar spine, cervical spine and thoracic spine. The cases illustrate the wide variety of spine conditions that may present to a health care physician, ranging from the commonplace to the unusual, and from the simple to the complex.

There is a wonderful general introduction that outlines the history of spinal pain and the evaluation of patients with spinal pain. Each of the three spinal sections is introduced by a table that presents possible causes of spinal pain in that region, as well as an excellent summary of the physical examination of that section of the spine, listing the variety of tests (orthopedic and neurological) used to assess that spinal region during the routine physical exam.

Each case includes a profile of the patient; a summary of any past history; the presenting complaints; the etiology of the condition; the examination conducted and its results; the imaging studies that were done, with reports as well as copies of the images to review; the clinical impression, followed by the action to be taken; the treatment that was provided; and the results. Each case also includes a key point and further reading on that particular condition. The range of cases includes intervertebral disc protrusion, disc disruption, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, abdominal aorta aneurysm, cauda equina syndrome, and perineural fibrosis.

The section on the cervical spine includes conditions ranging from motor-vehicle-accident injuries to cervical disc protrusion, vertebral artery dissection, postsurgical pain and cervical cord myelopathy. The section on the thoracic spine includes conditions such as intervertebral disc herniation, facet joint fracture, burst fracture of the vertebra, and Pancoast's tumor.

This book is very well-organized. The sections on specific conditions are very easy to read and provide good review material for the practitioner; they are also an excellent resource for students learning spinal diagnosis and management. As has come to be expected from his previous books, Dr. Giles provides the same well-researched and well-written material in this new book.

Because of the nature of the book (short cases), it is easy to read when one only has a short period of time available. The images complement the written material and definitely add to the learning experience. There is also an excellent section of color plates showing cross-sections through the various joints, which are labeled for easy reference. I would highly recommend this book to those members of the profession both in and out of school looking to learn about the very varied conditions of spinal pain.

Dr Savoie's Rating:

10 out of 10