Oculoplastics: Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Ophthalmology (Wills Eye Series)

Oculoplastics: Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Ophthalmology (Wills Eye Series) Robert Penne. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Pages: 286. Price: $65.00. ISBN 0-07-137594-5.

This book is one of a five part series edited by Christopher Rapauno, MD, which also includes Cornea, Glaucoma, Retina, and Neuro-ophthalmology. All of the authors are from The Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. The stated purpose of the series is to provide an up-to-date clinical overview of the major areas of ophthalmology for students, residents, and practitioners in all healthcare professions. The book is divided into broad sections on Eyelids, Lacrimal Apparatus, and The Orbit. Each section is then divided into chapters based on common presenting clinical categories, which are then subdivided into sections devoted to specific clinical diagnoses. The format for each individual section includes standardized text format accompanied by representative clinical and radiologic imaging photographs. The text for each entity includes a brief overview and information on Epidemiology and Etiology, History, Examination, Special Considerations, Differential Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis. Imaging, Laboratory Tests, and Pathophysiology are included when appropriate.

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The eyelid section includes chapters on benign lesions, inflammation, neoplasms, trauma, malpositions, congenital anomalies, and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. The lacrimal apparatus section includes chapters on obstructions, infections, and lacrimal sac tumors. The orbit section includes chapters on infections, inflammation, congenital anomalies, neoplasms, and trauma.

My overall impression is that the writing is succinct with few extra words and that important points are emphasized. The clinical photographs are predominantly classic examples and the radiologic images are representative as well. My only true criticism is regarding the omission of representative histopathology pictures, which would complement the excellent clinical and radiologic images. The only gross pathology photograph was a poor example of microphthalmos with cysts, which did not add anything to the well-written synopsis on congenital orbital anomalies. I believe strongly in good clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlation, a combination that has always been successful in the tradition of Grand Rounds.

References are not included but would certainly be helpful and should at least be considered when data are given, which comes directly from a specific study (i.e., statistics on survival rates for malignant melanoma of the eyelid, p.44). I noted very few points of personal preference in my reading of the text. The description of cocaine and hydroxyamphetamine testing of Horner's syndrome is misleading in that the findings are generally more relative than absolute. Furthermore, anhidrosis (i.e., loss of sweating, flushing) may occur on the involved side, half the face, or not at all depending on the involved neuron. In the section on orbital sarcoidosis, the potential utility of gallium scanning and the characteristic histopathology of the noncaseating granuloma should be mentioned. For optic nerve and chiasmal gliomas, surgical excision is rarely necessary or indicated because it results in immediate loss of residual vision on the affected side. Simple observation or radiation treatment may be indicated; however, chemotherapeutic regimens have recently taken a more prominent role in slowing tumor growth.

I do recommend this book to any medical professional with an interest in oculoplastics. It does provide a nice template for pattern recognition of common oculoplastic conditions with general information about presentation, diagnosis, and management.