Epilepsy & Behavior 16 (2009) 181
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Epilepsy & Behavior
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/yebeh
Book Review
The Educational Kit on Epilepsy, vols. 16. Medicinae, Oxford.
Hardcover text with both colored and black and white pages,
accompanying CDs of both gures, pdf les of the text, and videos.
Volume 1: A Practical Guide to Childhood Epilepsies. Edited by
C.P. Panayiotopoulos, 2006. 218pp. ISBN-10:0-9552230-0-8.
Volume 2: Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies with Myoclonic
Jerks. Edited by C.P. Panayiotopoulos, 2007. 210pp. ISBN-978-0-
9552230-2-0.
Volume 3: Newly Identied Epileptic Seizures, Diagnoses, Pro-
cedures and Management. Edited by C.P. Panayiotopoulos, 2007,
246pp. ISBN-13:978-0-9552230-3-7.
Volume 4: Epilepsies in Girls and Women. Edited by C.P. Pana-
yiotopoulos, Pamela Crawford, and Torbjrn Thompson, 2008.
226pp. ISBN-13:978-0-9552230-4-4.
Volume 5: Focal Epilepsies: Seizures and Syndromes. Edited by
C.P. Panayiotopoulos, Selim R. Benbadis, and Sanjay Sisodiya, 2008.
250pp. ISBN-13:978-0-9552230-5-1.
Volume 6: Focal Epilepsies: Aetiology, Diagnostic Procedures
and Management. Edited by C.P. Panayiotopoulos, Selim R.
Benbadis, and Sanjay Sisodiya, 2009. 228pp. ISBN-13:978-0-
9552230-6-8.
The Educational Kit on Epilepsy is by design neither a textbook
nor a journal but a teaching package of multimodule educational
materials designed to ll the gap between textbooks, which tend
to be rapidly outdated, and journals, which have a restricted
format. Its intended distribution is for general physicians, pediatri-
cians, adult and child neurologists, neurophysiologists, epileptolo-
gists, and other health professionals who care for individuals with
seizures. Each volume consists of a folder that provides a handbook
with a concise and precise description of each topic related to the
main theme along with two CDs. The rst CD contains the original
handbook in pdf format linked with slides, tables, and handouts to
supplement each topic, and the components emphasize each key
point, denitions, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic clues, in
addition to illustrative EEGs, brain imaging, histograms, and other
gures. A second CD contains real-life video EEG presentations of
epileptic seizures related to the main theme of each volume. The
goal of the authors and editors was to provide and construct a
self-paced learning course so that the learner could focus on assim-
ilating the material at his or her own speed.
As evident from the volume titles, the subject matter of the kit
covers practically every major aspect of epilepsy care. The content
is extensive, ranging from very basic information for the reader
with a casual interest in the topic to more advanced information
doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.07.004
for practicing epileptologists, such as detailed descriptions, tables,
and videos of less common epilepsy syndromes and conditions
associated with each of the different topics covered within a par-
ticular volume. The gures in this kit are its most important asset.
There is a veritable buffet of powerpoint slides illustrating almost
any and every topic associated with epidemiology, etiology, diag-
nosis, and management. Any instructor who has to create lectures
and slide materials on epilepsy would most likely benet from its
use.
A hallmark aspect of this kit is its vast library of video/EEG exam-
ples. There is literally a treasure trove of information in terms of
visually understanding the presentation of seizure types and how
it pertains to larger syndromes or to particular etiologies. These vol-
umes are a must have for anyone who is involved with epilepsy
practice simply on the basis of the collection of videos available
within the kit. The references are extensive and up to date.
Because epilepsy, more than most other neurological condi-
tions, must be understood both visually and audibly, the kits main
strength is its multimedia approach to learning. It is rare to have a
comprehensive knowledge source that is able to convey the drama,
complexity, and fascinating manner in which seizures manifest in
their myriad forms. A particularly noteworthy part of this kit can
be found in Volume 4, where there is a section devoted to famous
women with epilepsy whose names are often not discussed, but in
its own right serves as a fascinating lecture for those interested. It
is this attention to detail that makes this kit an excellent resource
and distinguishes it from its competitors. Overall, I recommend
this educational kit to anyone with an interest in epilepsy. The
editors have succeeded in fullling their objective in creating an
educational source that is neither book, nor DVD, nor journal, yet
retains the successful elements of each of these formats.
Conict of interest statement
I have no conicts of interest or disclosures or relationships
with the authors or the publishers of the kit.
Joseph I. Sirven *
Division of Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine,
Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
* Address: 5E Neurology, Mayo Clinic Hospital,
5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
Fax: +1 480 342 2544.
E-mail address: sirven.joseph@mayo.edu