Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review

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This is the definitive volume on the diagnosis, treatment, classification, and management of the childhood epilepsies. The core of the book is an in-depth survey of the pharmacology of antiepileptic drugs in children, emphasizing drug interactions and potential cognitive and behavioral side effects.

The book begins with a discussion of the basic mechanisms of epilepsy, including the pathophysiology of seizures, metabolic considerations and the possible role of excitatory amino acids in epilepsy-related neuropathology. It describes general approaches to diagnosis and treatment, including the classification of newly defined forms of childhood epilepsy, the epidemiology of childhood onset seizures, and such important diagnostic techniques as electroencephalography and neuroimaging. Experts in each area also discuss neonatal seizures, febrile seizures, encephalopathic epilepsy during and after infancy, absence seizures, progressive myoclonus epilepsies, status epilepticus, and neurologic syndromes accompanied by epilepsy.

The section on antiepileptic drugs includes an in-depth discussion of dosage form considerations, drug toxicity, teratogenicity of anticonvulsant medication, and drug interactions, with recommendations for optimal combinations when multiple drug therapy is required. Chapters on new antiepileptic drugs and surgical treatment of childhood epilepsy complete this comprehensive presentation.

Reviews

"Up-to-date, well presented and accessible. Recommended to all those who are interested in epilepsy even if they do not have a particular interest in pediatrics." -- Journal of Neurology

"This second edition of a book that has already become a classic maintains the high standard of the previous edition...All child neurologists, but also all those who have to deal professionally with childhood epilepsy will want to have this book on their shelf for frequent use...it is undoubtedly a major work on this subject." -- Epileptic Disorders

Contents

Basic Mechanisms of Epilepsy; Pathophysiology of Seizures and Epilepsy in the Mature and Immature Brain: Cells, Synapses and Circuits; Ion Channels, Membranes, and Molecules in Understanding Epilepsy and Neuronal Excitability; Metabolic and Pharmacologic Consequences of Seizures; The Pathology of the Epilepsies: Insights from Pathology to Mechanisms of Causation of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy; Genetic Influences on Risk for Epilepsy; Classification, Epidemiology, and Diagnosis; Classification of Epilepsies in Childhood; Epidemiology of Childhood Onset Seizures; An Approach to the Child with Paroxysmal Phenomenon with Emphasis on Nonepileptic Disorders; The Use of Electroencephalography in the Diagnosis of Epilepsy in Childhood; Neuroimaging in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Epilepsy; Epileptic Syndromes; Neonatal Seizures: Febrile Seizures; Severe Encephalopathic Epilepsy in Infants: Infantile Spasms; Encephalopathic Epilepsy After Infancy; Absence Seizures; Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy; Localization-Related Epilepsies in Childhood; Status Epilepticus; Therapy: General Principles; Selected Disorders Associated with Epilepsy; Treatment Decisions in Childhood Seizures; Mechanisms of Action of Antiepileptic Drugs; Pharmacokinetic Principles of Antiepileptic Therapy in Children; Dosage Form Considerations in the Treatment of Pediatric Epilepsy; Adverse Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs; Teratogenicity of Anticonvulsant Medication; Therapy: Antiepileptic Drugs, Surgery, and Cognitive Aspects of Therapy; Benzodiazepines and the Barbiturates in the Treatment of Childhood Epilepsy; Phenytoin and Related Drugs; Carbamazepine/Oxycarbazepine; Valproate; Clinical Utilization of Ethosuximide, Methsuximide, and Tri-methadione in Children; ACTH and Steroids; Other Antiepileptic Therapies; New Antiepileptic Drugs; Drug Interactions; Combination Drug Therapy (Monotherapy Versus Polytherapy); Epilepsy Surgery and Other Issues; Cost of Pediatric Epilepsy; Surgical Evaluation; Surgical Treatment: Surgery and Outcome; Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy; Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, and IQ; Cognitive Side Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs