e52 Book Reviews
and Dysfunction chapter is remarkably comprehensive
given the complex nature of this topic, and includes pel-
vic anatomy, physiology of female sexual function, eti-
ologies and current management options.
The chapter on Menopause and Hormone Replace-
ment Therapy, while giving an adequate overview of
symptoms and treatment, devotes only a brief section
to the Women’s Health Initiative and current recommen-
dations for Hormone Therapy (HT) with no mention of
the current position statement of NAMS on HT. Al-
though osteoporosis is more common in menopausal
women, it would have been more appropriate to devote
a separate chapter to Bone Health and Osteoporosis.
Also lacking in this section is a discussion of pre-
menstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric
disorder, which is a frequent presenting problem in
perimenopausal women.
A wide range of oncologic diseases are discussed in
the Gynecologic Oncology section, which covers
screening techniques, diagnosis, and detailed informa-
tion on staging and treatment, as well as an in-depth
look at palliative care options and considerations. The
chapter on chemotherapy and radiation is a particularly
useful reference, and it covers a wide range of side ef-
fects and toxicities of various drugs, though it does
not address the important issue of effects of chemother-
apy and radiation on fertility and future pregnancy. The
section ends with a chapter covering HIV in pregnancy,
which would probably be more appropriately placed in
the Obstetrics section.
Overall, the book covers an extensive range of issues
in obstetrics and gynecology and while not detailed
enough for a comprehensive review, it is detailed
enough to provide a good initial overview of relevant
topics. Criticisms of the text mostly pertain to the pre-
sentation of the information. More figures and dia-
grams would be helpful in certain sections to aid in
comprehending the text. Tables that are included are of-
ten difficult to comprehend, and the figures are rarely
well-labeled and therefore time-consuming to follow.
There are numerous typographical errors and format-
ting mistakes in the text, some of which alter the mean-
ing of the information presented. Despite these
criticisms, the manual is a handy pocket-sized resource
for students, residents and clinicians who require
a quick resource of clinically-relevant information.
doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2009.02.007
Comprehensive Gynecology, 5th edition. Vern L.
Katz, Gretchen M. Lentz, Rogerio A. Lobo, and
David M. Gershenson. ISBN 978-0-323-02951-3
Reviewed by Jennifer Salati, MD, University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine; andReviewed by Suketu
Mansuria, MD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology
and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center, Magee Women’s Hospital, Elsevier,
Copyright 2007, pages 1128.
The most recent edition of Comprehensive Gynecol-
ogy is a thorough and comprehensive reference of
topics in gynecology, ranging from the basic science
and anatomy of the female reproductive system to the
evidence-based clinical management of gynecologic
disorders. Originally published in 1987, the 5th edition
has been updated to reflect the advancement in knowl-
edge and understanding of issues in gynecology that has
occurred since the release of the 4th edition in 2001.
Four new editors and 23 contributing co-authors have
assembled to provide the field with an updated and
revised text that continues to serve as a valuable educa-
tional tool for physicians and students.
As in the previous edition, the book is divided into 42
chapters and 5 sections consisting of basic science prin-
ciples, the comprehensive evaluation of the female pa-
tient, general gynecology, gynecologic oncology, and
reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Each chap-
ter begins with a detailed yet concise table containing
key terms and definitions used within the chapter, al-
lowing the reader to move through the chapter with ease
and efficiency. The chapters conclude with a list of key
points that help the reader summarize the sizable
amount of information contained within each chapter.
A complete bibliography follows the table of key
points. Numerous charts and tables are presented
clearly, with detailed titles and legends. One of the most
significant improvements made from the prior edition is
the inclusion of richly colored diagrams and high-qual-
ity color photographs that serve to enhance clarity and
understanding of each topic.
This edition features considerable updates in several
key areas, as well as the reorganization of chapter struc-
ture and content. All chapters have been updated to
reflect the most current principles and theories of gyne-
cologic physiology and disease, and the most recent ad-
vances in disease management and treatment protocols.
More specifically, major modifications have been made
in the Reproductive Genetics chapter, including greater
explanation and detail regarding molecular tools and
diagnosis and the addition of a section addressing mito-
chondrial maternal inheritance. Considerable revision of
the Menopause chapter reflects advances in the under-
standing of the effects of menopause on the central
nervous system, as well as major changes in menopause
treatment that have resulted from the findings of the
Women’s Health Initiative. Additionally, updates have
been made to reflect the newest treatment recommenda-
tions and options in ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage,
gynecologic malignancy, and urologic conditions.
A new chapter entitled ‘‘Medical, Legal and Ethical
Issues’’ has been added to address physician defense
strategies in multiple areas including abortion, assisted
 Book Reviews
reproductive technology, contraception and sterilization,
informed consent, laboratory testing, and prenatal coun-
seling. Organizational modifications include assimila-
tion of the DES chapter into the chapter on miscarriage
and vaginal neoplasia and the discussion of adenomyosis
within the chapter addressing benign gynecologic
lesions instead of endometriosis.
Overall, the text is a dense but extremely thorough
reference for the field of gynecology. Such a wealth of
information is daunting in any form, however, the
book’s organizational scheme makes for easy naviga-
tion. Although the chapters are presented in a predict-
able and rational order, each chapter achieves the
complete and detailed presentation of a particular
topic—from relevant anatomy, etiology, diagnosis,
and classification to current treatment modalities. This
organization facilitates the uncomplicated use of the
text as a reference for specific information, allowing
the reader to obtain needed information without
requiring reference to previous chapters for full com-
prehension. The authors have also managed to clearly
and efficiently present a wealth of literature to provide
the reader with ample understanding of current evi-
dence-based treatment recommendations.
The 5th edition of Comprehensive Gynecology
accomplishes its aim of providing clinicians and stu-
dents with a complete and current reference for gyneco-
logic issues. As such, it should be an invaluable tool both
for medical students in the early stages of learning and
investigation, and for residents and attending physicians
constantly seeking to solidify and reorganize the knowl-
edge that they have accumulated.
doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2009.02.008
Obstetric and Gynecologic Dermatology, 2nd edi-
tion. Martin M. Black, Marilynne McKay, Peter R.
Braude, Samantha A. Vaughan Jones, and Lynnette
J. Margesson.
Reviewed by Angela S. Casey, MD, University of
Vermont College of Medicine Burlington, VT.
Obstetric and Gynecologic Dermatology serves as
a useful reference for providers in primary care and OB-
GYN. This book comprehensively covers many of the
classic dermatologic conditions seen in the female pa-
tient, with a focus on dermatoses of pregnancy. The
clinical photos are excellent, and the discussions are
concise and straightforward. One subject that the book
is lacking is a chapter dedicated to the general descrip-
tion for dermatologic conditions in terms of color, mor-
phology, and distribution. Such information is usually
extremely helpful to non-dermatologists in terms of fol-
lowing descriptive terminology in the text as well as
aiding in the accuracy of documentation of clinical
findings.
e53
The chapters are well organized, beginning with
a basic discussion of hormonal changes that are seen
during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, followed
by a chapter on perimenstrual skin eruptions. A large
portion of the book is devoted to dermatoses of preg-
nancy. The covered topics range from pemphigoid
gestationis and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy
to connective tissue diseases and infectious diseases.
The next section of the book is devoted to vulvar
disorders and starts with a review of vulvar anatomy
and classification of these disorders. This review is
followed by a discussion of vulvar manifestations of
skin disorders and systemic disease. This section also
includes pediatric diseases, pigmented lesions,
tumors, and inflammatory conditions that are seen in
the vulvar area. The authors have covered the clinical
features, management, and treatment options for each
of these conditions.
The text ends with several appendices of great util-
ity to practitioners, including differential diagnosis of
vulvar ulcers, topical therapy of gynecologic skin
disorders, and evaluation of patients with vulvovagi-
nal complaints. Also included are several helpful
patient handouts on common vulvar disorders.
The information presented in the book is useful, and
the text is very easy to follow. The content may be a bit
basic for the practicing dermatologist, however, for the
general practitioner or OBGYN, this concise review of
common skin conditions observed in the female patient
will aid with diagnosis and management. I would rec-
ommend this book as a useful supplement to practi-
tioners, medical students, and residents with an
interest in OBGYN and dermatology.
doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2009.02.006
Brook’s Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology, 5th
edition. Edited by Charles Brook, Peter Clayton,
and Rosalind Brown. ISBN 978-1-4051-2655-7.
Hoboken, NJ, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005, 608
pp.
Reviewed by Wafa R. Alromaih, MD, Division of
Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics,
Kentucky Clinic, University of Kentucky, Lexington,
Kentucky.
This is the fifth edition of this textbook of pediatric
endocrinology, which contains 25 chapters. It opens
with a basic science section summarizing the mecha-
nisms of hormone action, genomics, proteomics, and
the development of bioinformatics, in which biology
and information technology converge (table 2.2) writ-
ten by Westwood and Kopp Chapters 1 and 2
respectively.
Understanding of normal development and physi-
ology of hypothalamo-pituitary-target gland axis is