Richard B. Rosenbaum and Jose L. Ochoa. 345 pages. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1993. $95.00.

Does a need exist for a whole book on a single nerve? Although compressive median nerve neuropathy is described in medical textbooks and many journal articles, a source that combines this information would be a superb aid.

Here the authors adequately describe the clinical syndrome, its anatomy and pathophysiology, electrodiagnostic tests, and medical and surgical treatments. More than 2000 references are annotated. The authors note many causes of injury to the median nerve. The discussions of conditions associated with the carpal tunnel syndrome, such as amyloidosis, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, and rheumatoid arthritis, are notably thorough and useful.

Rather than the overly lengthy discussion of pathophysiology and causalgia that are the research interests of one of the authors, I would have liked to have seen further discussion of the vexing medicolegal aspects of the repetitive trauma syndrome. I would also have preferred more of the author's critical opinion on difficult and controversial areas rather than just a list of conflicting reports.

Generally, I liked the book for its encyclopedic content, relative brevity, and straight-forward style. A book such as this does fill a need and I recommend it as a reference to neurologists, neurosurgeons, hand surgeons, rheumatologists, and any physician caring for patients with hand pain. Unfortunately, it is expensive, making it more suitable for a divisional, hospital, or clinic library rather than the practitioner's office.