Greenfield's Neuropathology, 2 Volume Set, 8th Edition

by Seth Love (Author), David N Louis (Author), David W Ellison (Author)

It has been a privilege to be entrusted with the editing of Greenfield’s Neuropathology but also a daunting responsibility, not least because our predecessors performed this task to such a high standard. Our aim has been to ensure that Greenfield’s Neuropathology continues to provide an authoritative, comprehensive account of the pathological findings in neurological disease, their biological basis and clinical manifestations, and that this account is underpinned by a clear description of molecular and cellular processes and reactions that are relevant to the normal and abnormal functioning of the nervous system. 

We have sought to present this information in a way that is accessible to readers working within a range of disciplines in the clinical neurosciences, and that places the neuropatho- logical findings in the context of a broader diagnostic process. This philosophy goes back to the origins of neuropathology as a distinct specialty; in their preface to Pathology of the Nervous System, published in 1921, E. Farquhar Buzzard and J. Godwin Greenfield noted that "No student of neurology or of psychiatry can be fully equipped for his work unless he has spent time and energy in a neuro-pathological laboratory, and the object of this book will be achieved if it serves to economise his time and to guide his energy." The emphasis in much of the present book is on an integrated approach to diagnosis taking account of the clinical manifestations, neuroradiological and laboratory findings, as well as the neuropathological and molecular genetic features of the different diseases. The implementation of this approach has differed somewhat for different topics and there is undoubtedly still scope for improvement. However, we believe that we have made good progress.

Neuropathology brings to its practitioners the satisfaction that comes from unravelling diagnostic mysteries involving the most complex and incompletely understood of human organs, with the widest spectrum of clinical diseases. Neuropathology is often the final arbiter, providing the 'gold standard' against which other diagnostic procedures are measured. The diagnostic process in neuropathology encompasses an extensive and diverse panoply of techniques. Over recent years, traditional morphological and immuno- histochemical approaches have been supplemented by molecular genetic and proteomic methods, based on experimental strategies that have been responsible for many of the recent conceptual advances in our discipline and that are increasingly being incorporated into routine diagnostic use. Our aim has been to embrace both the traditional and the newer approaches to diagnosis, at least for those of the latter that have been validated and are practicable outside of the research laboratory. We hope that this book has captured some of the excitement that has accompanied the accelerating pace at which research is being translated into diagnostic practice.

The eighth edition of Greenfield’s Neuropathology incorporates much new information. All of the chapters are either entirely new or have been revised and updated. The book has many new contributors, who have brought fresh insight and expertise, and encompasses more disease entities. This expansion of content is supported by 700 extra figures (the total has increased to just over 2700) and 80 extra tables (an increase to 212). We have tried to present the information in ways that facilitate its retrieval not only by neuropathologists but also by other pathologists and clinicians grappling with differential diagnoses or seeking advice on broad categories of neurological disease, and boxes and tables are used to present important features for ease of reference. The high quality line and photographic illustrations, most in full colour, are also available on the companion DVD-ROM.

To accommodate more disease entities, illustrations and tables, we have had to restructure the present edition. The past two editions included introductory chapters on the structure and function of the nervous system. Excellent as those chapters were, in view of the constraints on space, the main readership of Greenfield’s Neuropathology, and the fact that there are several excellent reference books on neuroanatomy, neurohistology and basic neurobiology, we have decided to revert to the format of earlier editions in omitting separate chapters on normal structure and function and trying to integrate the relevant information within the other chapters in the book (including those on diseases of peripheral nerve and muscle). We have also chosen not to include a chapter on ophthalmic pathology, which is extensively covered in other, specialist reference books, and to incorporate information on the neuropathology of the hypothalamus and pituitary and the spinal cord in the chapters covering the relevant disease processes (neoplasia, trauma, vascular disease, etc.) rather than in separate chapters, as had been the previous tradition.

We are grateful to many of the staff at Hodder Arnold, without whom none of this would have been possible. Particular thanks are due to Jo Koster, who commissioned this edition back in 2005, Philip Shaw, who took over its development in 2006, and Zelah Pengilley and Amy Mulick, who coped uncomplainingly with tetchiness, tardiness and stylistic idiosyncrasies, and worked tirelessly with the authors and ourselves to transform a series of manuscripts, tables and figures of varying formats into this book.

Sadly, one of the contributors to this edition of Greenfield’s Neuropathology will never see his updated chapter in print. Our friend and colleague, Professor Rob Surtees, who first contributed to the seventh edition, passed away during the final production phase of this eighth edition. We hope that his family will draw some comfort from seeing his work live on in this book.

Working with so many outstanding contributors and with the highly experienced and supportive staff at Hodder Arnold has been an enjoyable and immensely informative experience. We will be pleased if readers derive even a small part of the satisfaction from reading this eighth edition of Greenfield’s Neuropathology that we have had from editing it. However, to paraphrase Buzzard and Greenfield, our foremost hope is that this book will serve to economise readers’ time and guide their energy toward better diagnosis and understanding of neurological diseases.

Sadly, one of the contributors to this edition of Greenfield’s Neuropathology will never see his updated chapter in print. Our friend and colleague, Professor Rob Surtees, who first contributed to the seventh edition, passed away during the final production phase of this eighth edition. We hope that his family will draw some comfort from seeing his work live on in this book.

Working with so many outstanding contributors and with the highly experienced and supportive staff at Hodder Arnold has been an enjoyable and immensely informative experience. We will be pleased if readers derive even a small part of the satisfaction from reading this eighth edition of Greenfield’s Neuropathology that we have had from editing it. However, to paraphrase Buzzard and Greenfield, our foremost hope is that this book will serve to economise readers’ time and guide their energy toward better diagnosis and understanding of neurological diseases.

Product details

• Publisher : Hodder Education Publishers; 8th edition (April 4, 2008)
• Language : English
• Hardcover : 2400 pages
• ISBN-10 : 0340906812
• ISBN-13 : 978-0340906811
• Item Weight : 15.6 pounds
• Dimensions : 11.9 x 5.2 x 9.7 inches