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question, which is a shame because correct answer structure Essentials of Pain Medicine, 3rd Edn. H. Benzon, S. N. Raja, S. Liu,
is crucial to getting the maximum marks from the available S. M. Fishman and S. P. Cohen (editors). Published by Elsevier,
knowledge in the limited time allowed. Philadelphia, USA. Pp. 664; indexed; illustrated. Price £185.
There are 143 sample SAQs presented, these being ISBN 978-1-4377-2242-0.
divided into four parts: clinical anaesthesia, critical care
medicine, anatomy and regional techniques, and pain The editors, and the long list of contributors, of this concise
medicine and analgesia. The structure of the book is perplex- book are drawn entirely from North America with the vast
ing as it does not seem to mirror the Intermediate Level majority from the USA. As stated in the brief preface, in
Training Curriculum to which all final FRCA questions have addition to a complete revision of all chapters, the editors
to be mapped. It has deliberately omitted basic science have deleted previous material related to regional and neur-
SAQs, yet included an entire section on anatomy and region- axial anaesthesia, and added chapters of relevance, particu-
al techniques. The decision to include some areas of the cur- larly to the practising American pain clinician, including the
riculum in great detail while omitting others somewhat use of ultrasound, and DSM mental disorders of relevance
contradicts the laudable aim of the book which is to to pain medicine.
expose candidates to the range of topics used in the SAQ The book is split into nine sections; the first three sections
paper. offering basic science, clinical evaluation and examination,
Each question is presented in a clear and consistent way, and pharmacology. Subsequent sections cover all therapeut-
and indicates the number of marks available for each section ic aspects including perioperative pain management. The
in a way similar to the real SAQ paper where percentage largest section is composed of chapters dedicated to specific
332
Book Reviews BJA
only two pages long, and written with a focus on providing annuloplasty, discography, and also less controversial and
medical evaluation with respect to US social security accepted techniques such as intrathecal drug delivery and
administration. This important topic deserved more, and spinal cord stimulation. These chapters are useful summaries
its treatment here will have limited application outside for the generalist, but are not sufficiently detailed for the
the USA. specialist. In contrast, the section on Nerve Blockade (8
Clinical pharmacology is well represented, with a chapter chapters) could be a succinct standalone text, although
on drugs in myofascial pain disorders, which includes evi- with an emphasis on landmark and stimulation techniques
dence of efficacy—well conceived and useful. As might be more than ultrasound guidance.
expected, a particular strength of the book is material Despite the American emphasis, the book serves as an
related to interventions, and as an example the chapter on excellent revision tool for advanced level pain trainees,
transforaminal epidural injection of steroids does not disap- and CPD tool for consultants, aided by brief and concise
point. Although the chapter is not an exhaustive step by chapters. I have no doubt that many readers will find
step guide, it is a co-ordinated account with discussion of ra- themselves using the online version more than the
tionale, anatomy, technique, complications, and outcomes, printed book.
and is commendable. It is one of many in the section
‘Chronic Pain Syndromes’, which is the section of most rele- N. Plunkett
Sheffield, UK
vance to the busy practising pain clinician and is very good E-mail: nick.plunkett@sth.nhs.uk
overall. There is a separate section on Interventional Techni-
ques, with whole chapters devoted to procedures of un- doi:10.1093/bja/aer456
333