Skull Base Reconstruction: Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Skull Base Defects

Review by R Gohil
Edinburgh, UK

Endoscopic skull base surgery continues to be an evolving specialty with a valuable contribution practically and in enhancing the knowledge base from specialists in otolaryngology. A number of reference texts have been published in recent years offering a comprehensive appraisal in the latest advances as well as fundamentals in the field. This latest offering from Springer Publishing offers exactly what is stated in the title, and more.

This hardbound book is presented in a compact size for ease of use. The content is divided into seven parts, each one offering an insight into specific themes in anatomy; physiology; pathology; and reconstruction, for example. The book is delivered in 500 pages of good quality paper and clear printed colour images.

The pure content on reconstruction only starts after 238 pages – the prior sections discussing important topics such as the anatomy of the skull base, physiology of CSF and investigative modalities to name but a few. I found that the chapters were well written and concise. The text was presented in easily consumable short passages that followed a logical theme and illustrated with clinical images and tables. The references for most chapters were exhaustive and recognised contributions from ENT, neurosurgery, plastic surgery and allied specialties in the field.

With respect to the non-reconstructive content, I do feel that there are other texts that offer the same content in a more comprehensive fashion – however I invite the reader to find exactly what works for them.

I was impressed with the sections on reconstruction. This part of the book’s content was divided into two parts: anterior and lateral skull base reconstruction. The chapters within these two parts were apportioned based on site of defect and each chapter offered a series of options as well as an evidence base as to the value of each method offered.

In addition, the reconstructive chapters not only had clear clinical images in colour highlighting the contributors’ own cases, but also had diagrams to further clarify key concepts and flow charts to offer the reader a guide in the clinical decision making process.

Although chapters in reconstruction are a staple in most skull base textbooks, this book offers an extremely balanced and comprehensive appraisal of the topic, encompassing the entire skull base. The contributors and editors should be commended for their hard work in producing this book.

The final chapter on future advances in the field offers a number of points that we can reflect upon and consider in our own practice and future research and review topics.

I feel that this book serves a purpose as an additional reference text for those who are already familiar with the field, but for those readers that are relatively new to the specialism should consider this book alongside a more generic textbook that serves as an introduction.

Amazon Link: Skull Base Reconstruction: Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Skull Base Defects
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