Lange Clinical Neurology and Neuroanatomy: A Localization-Based Approach 1st Edition

4th year medical student. I didn't feel very confident with the relevant neuroanatomy for common neurologic presentations, much less with formulating a differential diagnosis. The book deserves its five star rating because it turned that around for me. Here's my review for each aspect of the book:Neuroanatomy - all of the typical pathways are presented in the typical manner: axial-slice by axial-slice with a solid or dashed line representing the pathway as it travels superiorly or inferiorly. What this book does better than some others is that it isolates one or a few pathways per chapter to focus on and correlates them with clinical presentations within the same chapter. For example, anisocoria (different pupil sizes) and diplopia (double vision) are given separate chapters, rather than lumping them all into 'visual system'. It simplifies the explanations without losing depth.Clinical Neurology - most chapters do an excellent job of presenting a good list of differential diagnoses that will make you look sharp for rounds. Moreover, you will be able to connect it with the anatomy in a logical process. There are certainly some books that will have more depth on given subjects, but this book does an excellent job of providing the appropriate amount of depth for a medical student or non-neurology resident.Readability - one of the strengths of the book. It's 336 pages, but each one of the chapters is written in such a way as to break down the complex concepts without sacrificing too much depth. There aren't a lot of metaphors, just simple language when possible. Important terms are in bold, and if the reader would like a deeper explanation, they may seek it elsewhere.Cost - worth itPaper quality and formatting - the paper has a nice, glossy feel, and the pictures are colored well. Formatting is a strength of the book, not a distraction.Overall - I have almost nothing negative to say about this text. It is not a long read; one could conceivably finish it over a single month rotation. However, if you decide to dig into it and memorize most of it, you'll have the tools you need to excel on a rotation and likely any non-neurology field.

I had the chance to look at Berkowitz's book after reading his tale of neurology in Haiti. I recall a statement made by Marty Samuels a few decades ago that neurology is not akin to say internal medicine. One does not start with a set of differential diagnoses but one seeks to find out where the problem was. Then once having achieved this determine what caused this defect. In a sense it matched my engineering training much better.Berkowitz present an excellent overview of neurology first examining the constituents and then going through the issues that can arise in each of the constituent elements. The coverage and presentation is an excellent first step for the maturing med student and it is a great refresher for those in other specialties.The writing is clear and complete, the graphics are equally quite clear. The interplay between the nervous system and others systems is clearly presented such as the spinal cord and the circulatory system. This interplay can be the essential piece in solving many neurological issues.There always are two issues in neurology that students have found a challenge in my experience. First the preponderance of Latin and Greek words, solved by having a dictionary handy, and second the lack of a deeper understanding of the genomics of the system. As we better understand the dynamics of cancer cells and their control we lack such with the neurological system. It is still at the wiring diagram level, leaving us often to wonder why.Not withstanding, this book is a great referral from time to time for the non-neurologist as well.

I knew I wanted to have a book that would lay the groundwork for a solid foundation going into my neuro rotation, but I also wanted one that I could get through in the 4-5 weeks of my clerkship. I had tried reading other books in the past, but I wanted something that took the time to explain localization of lesions in the context of diagnoses and treatments. This book is well organized, easy to read, and super helpful when it comes to understanding the basics. It has plenty of information on the most relevant trials as well, so you can look up any new drugs or interventions being studied as well to help solidify any concepts. It was very helpful for my performance on the end of rotation exam. Additionally, random tid bits of knowledge/details I had picked up were useful on inpatient rounds with the attending. Good lists of differential diagnoses as well for the major presentations we see on service. The information in this book is good for both 3rd and 4th year neuro rotations, and I see myself using it in residency as a reference. Would definitely suggest it to any student going into neurology.

I bought this book for my neurology sub-I as a fourth year medical student after several people at HMS recommended it. I would highly recommend it. It is very easy to read in lay person language for the most part and a lot of great illustrations. Chapters are relatively short and well organized. The author does a great job at breaking down tough concepts in simple terms. This is the type of book you can read for a bit every night even when you are brain dead after a long day (I did).Good for medical students, neurology sub-I, residents. It is not a comprehensive book but it's great for the gunners during third year of medical school or as an introductory book for sub-I and PGY-2 year or for attendings renewed their boards (my mentor used it and really liked it).