Abstract
Common Pitfalls in Epilepsy is a soft-cover text for neurologists and neurology residents, though internists, family practitioners, and advanced medical students may also find it useful. The text aims to provide insight into epilepsy management through case presentations. A common proverb suggests that it is a smart man that learns from his own mistakes and an even wiser man that learns from the mistakes of others. Schmidt, Tatum, and Schachter take this proverb to heart when they open their preface with an explanation of why they wrote the book in the first place. “Why did we write a book about the pitfalls in the management of epilepsy? The easiest answer is that we encountered these pitfalls the hard way—by falling into these many traps.”
The book is divided into chapters with different common pitfalls encountered when treating epilepsy. After a brief introduction, a case is presented that frames the structure of the remainder of the chapter. Each chapter covers topics that range from mistaking nonepileptic events for epilepsy, pharmacologic options tailored to individual patients, and recognizing the importance of social and psychiatric aspects of epilepsy care.
The strengths of the book are many. The cases presented at the beginning of each chapter serve as good examples for the remainder of the chapter. Each chapter contains multiple color pictures that consist of EEG recordings, MRIs, and tables that illustrate the authors’ points.
Some of the most helpful images include diagnostic algorithms that illustrate topics such as the path to take after a first-time seizure and which medications to initiate after epilepsy is suspected. Another helpful aspect can be found in chapter 5: “Errors in the Diagnosis of Seizure Types and Epilepsy Syndromes.” Throughout the chapter, unique questions are posed to the reader that help solidify the concepts presented in the chapter.
Perhaps, a similar approach would have been helpful in the other chapters. Questions following the chapters would have helped readers grasp the concepts presented in them.
In summary, Common Pitfalls in Epilepsy is an excellent text that would help a wise budding neurologist, internist, and family practitioner avoid the mistakes that these seasoned epileptologists have made in the past.