The aim of this handbook of pediatric neurosurgery is obvious at the first glance: to provide medical students, resident, and young neurosurgeon a tool for rapid consultation of all the main topics in the field of pediatric neurosurgery. Indeed, with a few exceptions, the chapters are quite concise offering the basic information, which concern a specific nosographic entity. Most of them are enriched by sections for “Common clinical questions”, “Answers to common questions,” and”Clinical pearls.” For the 56 chapters that made up the book, the editors, G I Jallo, from the Institute for Brain Protection Sciences, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, Karl F Kothbauer, from the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland, and Violette M.R. Recinos, from Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio have gathered 82 scientists from the USA, Europe, India, and Mexico. The book is clearly addressed to assist the young neurosurgeon in the daily clinical practice rather than debating the theoretical principles of pediatric neurosurgery. Such a characteristic is emphasized by the presence of chapters for the medical management of pain or seizures disorders, where the indications, the mechanisms of action, and the side effects of various drugs are discussed. Also, the general section devoted to neuroradiology reflects the practical orientation of the book by dealing with the description of the techniques for neuroimaging and the understanding of their indications as it may be required in the clinical practice.

This handbook is timely and conveys the essential knowledge of pediatric neurosurgery. Besides the broad range of diseases covered, it has other advantages like its easy consultation and the appeal of a readable and graphically pleasant appearance, typical of Thieme books. The Editors should be congratulated for their efforts and success in involving so numerous pediatric neurosurgeons in their educational project.