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Peripheral Neuropathy in Childhood |
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mercredi, 16 mars 2005 |
 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
This volume has arisen from a long-standing interest in the clinical
problem of peripheral neuropathy and the realization that the
literature on peripheral neuropathy in childhood, accumulated and
widely scattered in journals over more than a hundred years, has not
previously been brought together and critically examined in one
reference work. This book is an attempt to fill the gap.
Although we have reviewed available publications on the topic of
neuropathy as it affects children, this book is written from a strong
personal perspective, based where possible, on our own clinical
experience. It is likely that some will disagree with our experience,
but when possible we prefer to state an opinion and have it refuted
than to equivocate.
This volume will be of interest to paediatricians, neurologists,
paediatric neurologists, neuropathologists and to all those working in
the field of neuromuscular disease in children.
RA Ouvrier - JGMc Leod - JD Pollard
PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION
Since the first edition, published in 1990, there have been remarkable
advances in the understanding of peripheral neuropathy. In particular,
the marvels of molecular biology have led to the discovery of the genes
for the commonest form of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, HMSN
type I. The molecular genetic bases for Dejerine-Sottas and Roussy-Levy
diseases have been clarified; many other rarer neuropathies have been
linked to specific regions of the genome; and major advances in the
understanding of the patho-genesis and treatment of the Guillain-Barre
syndrome and its recently described axonal variant have occurred.
Newly recognized disorders are also described in this new edition.
These include hereditary thermosensitive neuropathy, the neuropathy of
Allgrove syndrome, as well as new varieties of sensory neuropathy and
of metabolic neuropathies. These conditions are considered in detail in
the following chapters which have all been thoroughly revised.
Regrettably, advances in treatment have been mostly confined to the
field of inflam¬matory and metabolic neuropathies, but the expansion of
molecular biology has allowed accurate diagnosis and prenatal detection
in many situations which were previously problematic. It seems only a
matter of time before specific treatments evolve from the extraordinary
successes of the 'new genetics'.
We look forward to describing those treatments in the next edition.
RA Ouvrier - JGMc Leod - JD Pollard
ICNA International Review of Child Neurology Series
Mac Keith Press
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