Product Description

Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases brings a pioneering interactive approach to the teaching of neuroanatomy, using over 100 actual Clinical Cases and high-quality radiologic images to bring the subject to life. This approach allows students to appreciate the clinical relevance of structural details as they are being learned, and to integrate knowledge of disparate functional systems, since a single lesion may affect several different neural structures and pathways.

Most of the book comprises chapters that explain the major neuroanatomical systems. Each chapter first presents background material including an overview of relevant neuroanatomical structures and pathways, and a brief discussion of related clinical disorders. The second half of each chapter is devoted to clinical cases. The cases begin with a narrative of how the patient developed symptoms, and what deficits were found upon neurological examination. Boldface type highlights important symptoms and signs. A series of questions challenges the reader to deduce the neuroanatomical location of the patient's lesion, and the diagnosis. Discussion and answers follow, and an epilogue reveals the actual outcome.

One of the book's most innovative features is the inclusion of CT and MRI scans that depict each patient's lesion. These radiographs help the reader develop skills in interpreting the same kinds of diagnostic images employed in clinical practice.

The book is intended primarily for first- or second-year medical students enrolled in a basic neuroanatomy, neurobiology or neuroscience course. It is also a valuable resource for advanced medical students and residents, as well as students of other health professions, notably physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, dentistry, speech therapy, and neuropsychology.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3030 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 951 pages

Review
Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases seems a slam-dunk into the classics shelf. -- Andres Martin, José Merino, Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences

About the Author
HAL BLUMENFELD is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology at Yale University School of Medicine.

Customer Reviews

Well Organized and Illustrated. Simply An Exceptional Text.
Every once in a while a special textbook comes along that makes a subject an utter delight to learn; "Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Cases" is most definitely such a text. The merits of this book are just too many to enumerate but I will provide some specific examples of its strengths.

The book has great detail but the strength of its organization is what makes this aspect an asset rather than a liability. Most chapters have a 'Brief Anatomical Study Guide' at the beginning that rivals the content of most traditional Neuroanatomy texts. These sections are well illustrated with great descriptions. Furthermore this traditional approach is clearly delineated from the clinical content in the chapter which is marked with 'KCC' (Key Clinical Concept). Every clinical point in my Neuroscience course was covered in this book making it an invaluable resource for clarification. Sure there is WAY more clinical content in the book than in my course but because the sections are marked clearly it's easy to find specific vignettes. Each chapter ends with specific clinical problems that are discussed in full with ample radiographic images. The clinical cases for me served to test, clarify and reinforce the material presented in the brief anatomical study guide. They are no doubt the most 'fun' part of the book (thinking in Med School...OMG!!).

Overall, rather than read through the same material trying to memorize (ala syllabus), going through the brief guide then the clinical concepts and finally the problems provided the necessary repetition yet also allowed for an innovative and engaging approach to learning.

The author should really be applauded for his diligence and enthusiasm, it truly is infectious. The presence of numerous mnemonics and analogies (eg/ The Putamen-Globus Palladus ice cream cone analogy) show the type of effort and commitment to teaching that students crave. Also I really liked the bold highlighting of certain key words and phrases, it makes it so much easier to review. Simply by reading the bold terms and the surrounding text much of the key material can be assimilated (good for the Boards).

Our assigned text was Nolte which is a great ATLAS (not much more) but this is an exemplary TEXT. The many illustrations in Blumenfeld's book emphasized concepts and were structured to be high yield. Nolte had more gross specimens and slides. So I used Blumenfeld exclusively for the written and the Nolte atlas (not the text!) for lab.

This book is going to be on my shelf for many years to come. Bravo Dr. Blumenfeld!!

Ideal neuroanatomy text for med students/residents
I'm a seasoned clinical neurologist and bought this book to refresh my knowledge of neuroanatomy. To all the med students and residents out there reading this, I can assure you that virtually all of the information in the book is used by practicing neurologists on a daily basis. This is stuff you really need to know; by the time you're in my situation most of it is second nature. The author does a great job of presenting, just as the title promises, clinically oriented neuroanatomy. It goes beyond that, though, because there's also a fair number of elementary discussions of common neurological diseases, including differential diagnosis and treatment considerations. A nice learning feature are the frequent mnemonics scattered through the text, e.g. for the functions of the hypothalmus, HEAL=homeostatic, endocrine, autonomic, limbic. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the case presentations with accompanying MRI/CT are excellent. Strongly recommended.

Clinical Neuroanatomy at its best
I can only echo the high praise already offered by the two previous reviewers on this web site. This is not only one of the finest if not the finest neuroanatomy teaching text that I have ever read, it is one of the finest summaries of general clinical neuroscience conceptual material I've ever read, with an obvious heavy emphasis on functional neuroanatomy. Although there are a few nits that I could pick about a few details,the level of excellence is uniform, the depth of coverage is just perfect for the advanced student, and the breadth of coverage is exceptional. The basic methodology for presenting material consists of a smoothly integrated presentation of graphical plates (outlining basic structures), clinical case materials including results of a very thorough neuro exam, and structural neuroimaging. Very clear and lucid presentations of cases. Very highly recommended.
I basically cannot say enough good things about this text. It is the current benchmark in this field.