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Uncommon Problems in Intensive Care

J.F. Cade (Ed.). Greenwich Medical Media Limited, 2002. 381 pages. ISBN 1-841100-91-9

Hamilton, Ontario

The stated aim of the authors in producing this text is to provide a reference to uncommon problems relevant to intensive care medicine, in a single volume. They have largely succeeded in achieving their goal.

The text is laid out as an encyclopedia, with topics presented in alphabetical order and extending over 381 pages. Topics may be covered in several paragraphs or over several pages.

This book can be praised for its breadth of topics, while being condemned for its lack of depth. The topics are generally covered briefly. Information regarding therapeutic options would need to be sought elsewhere in most cases. The references vary from very old to very recent.

On reviewing the text, I found errors in several topics. Under malignant hyperthermia it was stated that milder forms of the disease may be inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. It was also stated that local anesthetics should be used with caution in late pregnancy. I was also disappointed to find that SI units were not used, specifically, in the section under methanol poisoning.

I would recommend this text for use as a quick reference source. The title suggests that it be reserved for critical care units and physicians. It, in fact, is a reference source of uncommon problems in medicine, most of which are relevant to critical care.

The lack of depth limits the usefulness of the text, but depth was not the goal of its creators. It can be used as an encyclopedia of topics relevant to the very sick and it is there that it will likely find its niche.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Baxter, F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Baxter, F.