Edited by G Karpati, D Hilton-Jones, and R C Griggs (Pp 775, £140.00). Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001. ISBN 0-521-65062-3

• muscle disorders
• neuromuscular diseases

It is estimated that at least one in 500 people will be affected by specific genetic or other lifelong neuromuscular disorders. Inevitably this figure is likely to be a significant underestimate because of inadequate case ascertainment, as well as our limited ability to identify what is likely to be another large number of as yet unrecognised muscle disorders. Into the latter group may fall patients who complain of muscle weakness, fatigue, or aching in whom no specific abnormality can yet be identified. Thus, muscle diseases constitute an important area of clinical activity and such patients are seen by neurologists, rheumatologists, general physicians, and a variety of other specialists. Thus, an up to date, comprehensive, and accessible textbook is extremely valuable for the generalist, as well as for those with a specific interest in muscle disorders.

This book has become a standard text for myologists and neurologists alike ever since its first publication in 1964. It has been through several editions and this most recent one has been supervised by three leading myologists. It is divided into four sections covering the scientific basis of muscle disease, methods of investigation, clinical features of muscle disorders, and, finally, the …